Synthesis of naturally occuring ecteinascidins and related compounds

ABSTRACT

Ecteinascidin compounds with a quinone ring for ring E are active as anti-cancer agents. Related processes and compounds are provided.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation from co-pending application Ser. No. 12/273,919, filed Nov. 19, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/503,106, filed Jun. 8, 2005 which is a 35 U.S.C. §371 National Phase filing of PCT Application No. PCT/GB03/00481 filed Feb. 4, 2003, which claims priority to United Kingdom Application No. 0202544.3, filed Feb. 4, 2002, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to synthetic processes, compounds obtained with these processes and their use as antitumor agents. In particular it relates to synthetic processes for producing naturally occurring ecteinascidin compounds and related analogues, including novel intermediates that form a part of such synthetic processes.

In addition, the present invention relates to novel, previously undisclosed indications of the ecteinascidin analogues.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,273, describes novel compositions of matter extracted from the tropical marine invertebrate, Ecteinascidia turbinata, and designated therein as ecteinascidins 729, 743, 745, 759A, 759B and 770. These compounds are useful as antibacterial and/or antitumor agents in mammals. Ecteinascidin 743 is undergoing clinical trials as an antitumour agent.

The limited availability of natural material has resulted in the search for alternative synthetic methods being sought for the natural compounds and related analogs.

A synthetic process for producing ecteinascidin compounds is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,362. The claimed method involves many steps, there being 38 Examples each describing one or more steps in the synthetic sequence to arrive at ecteinascidin 743.

Shorter synthetic processes for producing Ecteinascidin 743 are described in WO 0069862 and WO 0187895 and involve the use of cyanosafracin B as starting material.

However, there is still a need to provide synthetic routes to other ecteinascidins, in particular to provide more economic paths to the known antitumour agents such as ET-729, as well as permitting the preparation of new compounds.

Synthetic ecteinascidin compounds are known from various earlier PCT filings, including for example WO 0018233, WO 0177115, WO 0187894, WO 0187895, WO 99 51238, and WO 9846080. All of these patent specifications are specifically incorporated by reference, especially for the guidance they give in the design and synthesis of ecteinascidin compounds. In particular, they reveal structure-activity relationships which may be applied to the compounds of the present invention. See also J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1996, vol. 118, no. 38, pages 9017-9023 for ecteinascidin compounds. The synthetic compounds and the natural ecteinascidins have a fused ring system:

In many ecteinascidins, there is a 1,4 bridge across the fused ring system. With the natural ecteinascidins, the 1,4 bridge is sometimes a 1,4-spiroamine bridge, as for instance in ecteinascidin 729, 736 or 743.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides quinone ecteinascidin compounds having a quinone group in ring E. Such compounds are typically of the formula (Ab):

where R^(a), R^(b), R⁵, R⁷, R⁸, R²¹, X and ring E are as defined, the sulphur in the 1,4 bridge may be oxidised, and R^(12b) is as defined for R¹² or R^(12a).

These quinone compounds are of special interest for their activity, notably the activity of ecteinascidin 637 quinone. They can be made by oxidation of an ecteinascidin compound having a ring E which is phenolic, as for example in ecteinascidin 743 with a 16-methyl, 17-methoxy, 18-hydroxy phenyl ring for ring E. Other substituents can be employed. Suitable oxidising agents include Fremy's salt.

In a related aspect, the present invention provides a process for making ecteinascidin 729 and related compounds having a hydrogen at the N-12 position. To this end, the present invention provides a process which comprises providing an ecteinascidin with a substituent at the N-12 position, and removing that substituent. Thereafter the N—H group at the 12-position can be derivatised, for example with a group R12^(a).

The invention also provides a process which is a modification of the process for preparing an ecteinascidin product as described in our WO 0187895. Thus, the present invention provides a process for preparing an ecteinascidin compound wherein a 1,4 bridge is formed using a 1-labile, 10-hydroxy, 12-protected, 18-protected hydroxy, di-6,8-enone fused ring precursor compound.

The 1,4 bridge can be a spiroamine, for example as in ecteinascidin 729, but need not be such a group. Typically the 1,4 bridge is of the formula:

—⁽¹⁾CH₂—X—C(═O)—C(R^(a))(R^(b))—S⁽⁴⁾—

where the —CH₂— is at the 1-position and the —S— is at the 4-position, of the ecteinascidin compound, with the groups X, R^(a) and R^(b) being as herein defined.

As a related part of this invention, the invention provides an ecteinascidin compound which is of the formula (A):

wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) together with the carbon to which they are attached form a group —C(═O)—; a group —CH(R^(c))— where R^(c) is OX¹ or N(X¹X²) where the or each X¹, X² is independently H, —C(═O)R′, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl; or a spiro ring; R⁵ is —OH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group; R⁷ is —OCH₃ and R⁸ is —OH or R⁷ and R⁸ together form a group —O—CH₂—O—; R¹² is a protecting group;

R²¹ is —H, —OH or —CN; X is —NH— or —O—;

ring E is of the formula:

where R¹⁸ is —OH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group; and the sulphur in the 1,4 bridge may be oxidised.

The 1,4-bridge can be omitted, especially for the new quinone compounds. In that instance, the substituent at the 1-position, R¹, can be as in our WO 0187894.

The protecting group on N-12 can be removed to give a hydrogen, and optionally replaced with another substituent to give other compounds of this invention. Examples of such derivatised compounds include those where the group at N-12 is alkyl such as methyl or ethyl, especially methyl, or is acyl, especially acetyl.

In this respect, the present invention further provides compounds of formula (Aa):

where R^(a), R^(b), R⁵, R⁷, R⁸, R²¹, X and ring E are as defined, the sulphur in the 1,4 bridge may be oxidised, and R^(12a) is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, or substituted or unsubstituted acyl, but is preferably not methyl.

In another aspect, the present invention provides ecteinascidin compounds having a 1,4 bridge where the oxygen β to the 1-position is replaced by an isostere. Suitable isosteres include —NH—.

Thus, according to the present invention, there are provided 1,4-bridged ecteinascidin compounds wherein the 1,4 bridge is of the formula:

—⁽¹⁾CH₂—X—C(═O)—C(R^(a))(R^(b))—S⁽⁴⁾—

where the —CH₂— is at the 1-position, and the —S— is at the 4-position, of the ecteinascidin compound, with the group X being NH, and R^(a) and R^(b) being as herein defined.

Such compounds include those of the formula (Ac):

where R^(a), R^(b), R⁵, R⁷, R⁸, R^(12b), R²¹, and ring E are as defined and the sulphur in the 1,4 bridge may be oxidised.

These compounds can be prepared by a process of this invention which is a modification of the process of WO 0187895, with a 1-labile substituent which is suitably a group of formula:

—CH₂—NProt¹-C(═O)—CHNProt²-S—H

where Prot¹ and Prot² are amine protecting groups.

The protecting groups can then be removed separately or together, and the respective nitrogen atoms derivatised as appropriate.

Suitable procedures can be devised in the light of the disclosure in WO 0187894, WO 0187895, WO 0177115, which are incorporated herein by specific reference.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The quinone compounds of this invention are preferably made by a process which involves oxidation of an ecteinascidin having a phenol for ring E, where the hydroxy function of the phenol is at position 18 and may be substituted.

Such a reaction be in accordance with the following scheme:

Alternatively, the quinone compounds of this invention can be made by modification of the synthetic procedures known from our earlier patent applications and which start from safracin B or a related compound. In particular, the present invention provides a process based on that disclosed in our WO 0069862 where ring E is a quinone ring in the starting material, and the ring E is not converted into the phenol system, as mentioned at the bottom of printed page 24 of the WO 00699862.

The 1,4 bridge need not be present in the quinone compounds.

In the compounds of this invention with a 1,4-bridge, preferred examples of the group formed by Ra and Rb together with the carbon to which they are attached include:

—C(═O)—;

—CHNH₂ or a protected or derivatised version of such a group;

—CHOH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group;

a group of formula:

where R^(d) and X¹ are as defined;

a group of formula:

where R^(d) and X¹ are as defined.

R^(d) and X¹ in these groups are preferably chosen from hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted R′, OR′, —(C═O)R′, hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy or hydrocarboyl, especially hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl or alkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted aralkyl; preferably hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy, more preferably hydrogen, methyl or methoxy, most preferably both hydrogen.

Preferred definitions include those which give a group of formula:

where R^(d) and X¹ are as defined; or a group of formula:

where R^(d) and X¹ are as defined.

In particular, R^(a) and R^(b) can be chosen to give a group of formula:

Where R^(a) and R^(b) together with the carbon to which they are attached form a group —CHNH₂ or a protected or derivatised version of such a group, the group can be of the formula —CHNHX¹ or —CHN(X¹X²), where X¹, X² is H, C(=0)R′, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or a protecting group. Preferred definitions include hydrogen, acyl such as acetyl or a protecting group.

One of R^(a) or R^(b) is often hydrogen and the other is preferably H; —NHCOalkyl, particularly where the alkyl has up to 16 carbon atoms, such as 1, 4, 7, 15 carbon atoms and may be halo substituted optionally per halo substituted; —NHalkylCOOH particularly where the alkyl has up to 4 carbon atoms; protected —NHCOCH(NH₂)CH₂SH where the NH₂ and/or the SH are protected; —NHbiotin; —NHaryl; —NH(aa)y where as is an amino acid acyl and y is suitably 1, 2 or 3 and wherein any NH₂ is optionally derivatised or protected, as with an amide terminal group or a Doc group; phthalimido formed —NX²—; alkyl preferably having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; arylalkenyl, especially cinnamoyl which may be substituted as with 3-trifluoromethyl.

Preferred examples of the group R^(a) or R^(b) include NHAc, NHCO(CH₂)₂COOH, NHCOCH(NHAlloc)CH₂SFm, NHCO(CH₂)₁₄CH₃, NHTFA, NHCO(CH₂)₂CH₃, NHCOCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, NHCO(CH₂)₆CH₃, NHBiotin, NHBz, NHCOCinn, NHCO-(p-F₃C)-Cinn, NHCOVal-NH₂, NHCOVal-N—Ac, NHCOVal-N—COCinn, NHCOVal-Ala-NH₂, NHCOVal-Ala-N—Ac, NHCOAla-NH₂, OH, OAc, NHAc, NHCO(CH₂)₂COOH, NHCOCH(NHAlloc)CH₂SFm, NHCOCH(NH₂)CH₂SFm, NPhth, NH-(m-CO₂Me)-Dz, NHCO(CH₂)₁₄CH₃, NMe₂, NHTFA, NHCO(CH₂)₂CH₃, NHCOCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, NHCO(CH₂)₆CH₃, NHAlloc, NHTroc, NHBiotin, NHBz, NHCOCinn, NHCO—(P—F3C)-Cinn, NHCOVal-NH₂, NHCOVal-NAc, NHCOVal-N—COCinn, NHCOVal-Ala-NH₂, NHCOVal-Ala-N—Ac, NHCOVal-Ala-N—COCinn, NHCOAla-NH₂, NHCOAla-N—Ac, NHCOAla-NCOCinn, OH, OAc, NHAc, NHCO(CH₂)₂COOH, NHCOCH(NHAlloc)CH2SFm, Nphth, along with similar groups where the number of carbon atoms is varied or the amino acid is changed or another change of this kind is made to give a similar group.

Where R^(a) and R^(b) together with the carbon to which they are attached form a group —CHOH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group, the group can be of the formula —CHOX¹, where X¹ is as defined.

Other preferred examples include OH, OAc, OCOCF₃, OCOCH₂CH₂CH₃, OCO(CH₂)₆CH₃, OCO(CH₂)₁₄CH₃, OCOCH═CHPh, OSO₂CH₃ along with similar groups where the number of carbon atoms is varied or different substituent groups are introduced or another change of this kind is made to give a similar group.

The sulphur in the 1,4 bridge may be oxidised to give, for example a group —S(=0)-.

Where the 1,4 bridge is not present, the group at the 1-position, R¹, is suitably an optionally protected or derivatised aminomethylene group, or an optionally protected or derivatised hydroxymethylene group; and the group at the 4-position, R⁴, is typically hydrogen.

R¹ is suitably a hydrophobic group and which thus lacks free amino, hydroxy or other hydrophilic function. Typically R¹ is a group —CH₂—NH₂—CO—R′, where R′ is as defined but preferably has a linear chain length of less than 20 atoms, more preferably less than 15 or 10 atoms, where a 1,4-phenyl is counted as a chain length of four atoms and similar considerations apply to other cyclic groups (for example, 1,2-cyclohexyl is chain length of two), and the linear chain of less than 10, 15 or 20 atoms can itself be substituted. In particular, data suggests there is a balance to be achieved between having no such group Ra-CO— and having a large, bulky group.

In particularly preferred compounds, the group R¹ is acylated on an —NH₂ group, and for example N-acyl derivatives can be formed from groups —CH₂NH₂ and —CH₂—NH-aa, where aa is amino acid. The acyl derivatives can be N-acyl or N-thioacyl derivatives thereof. The acyl groups can be of formula —CO—R′, where R′ is as defined and is chosen to meet the indicated criteria. Suitable acyl groups include alanyl, arginyl, aspartyl, asparagyl, cystyl, glutamyl, glutaminyl, glycyl, histidyl, hydroxyprolyl, isoleucyl, leucyl, lysyl, methionyl, phenylalanyl, prolyl, seryl, threonyl, thyronyl, tryptophyl, tyrosyl, valyl, as well as other amino acid acyl groups, which may be L- or D-. Such amino acid acyl groups are preferred derivatised on the amino group to give hydrophobicity.

In a variation, the group R¹ is a derivatised hydroxymethylene group. Similar considerations apply as with the derivatised aminomethylene group.

In one preferred aspect, at least one of R⁵, R¹⁸ and R′ in the group R^(d) is selected from hydrogen, R′, C═OR′, or COOR′, where R′ is optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl, the optional substituents being chosen from halo, amino including amino derived from amino acid, aryl or heterocyclic.

R⁵ is preferably —OH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group. In particular, it can be a group —OX¹. Particularly preferred for R⁵ is an acyloxy group, especially an acetyloxy group. Other examples include cinnamoyloxy and heptanoyloxy.

R⁷ is —OCH₃ and R⁸ is —OH or more preferably R⁷ and R⁸ together form a group —O—CH₂—O—.

R¹² is a protecting group for the nitrogen atom of the amine function. Suitable protecting groups for such amines include carbamates, amides, and other protecting groups, such as alkyl, arylalkyl, sulpho- or halo-arylalkyl, haloalkyl, alkylsilylalkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkylarylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, nitroarylalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, nitroaryldithioarylalkyl, dicycloalkylcarboxamidoalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, arylalkenyl, nitroarylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclyl, hydroxyheterocyclyl, alkyldithio, alkoxy- or halo- or alkylsulphinyl arylalkyl, heterocyclylacyl, and other carbamates, and alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, arylalkanoyl, alkenoyl, heterocyclylacyl, aroyl, arylaroyl, haloaroyl, nitroaroyl, and other amides, as well as alkyl, alkenyl, alkylsilylalkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cyanoalkyl, heterocyclyl, alkoxyarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, nitroaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy- or hydroxyl-arylalkyl, and many other groups. Such groups may optionally be substituted. Further examples are given in our earlier patent specifications.

A preferred class of compounds comprise an ecteinascidin compound wherein the N-12 protecting group R¹² is chosen from haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, arylalkylene, haloalkylarylakylene, acyl, haloacyl, optionally halo alkoxyalkyl, optionally halo or alkyl arylalkenylacyl, alkenylacyl, carbonate, carbamate, arylalkyl, alkenyl, acid anhydride and amino acid.

Especially preferred is an ecteinascidin compound wherein the N-12 protecting group R¹² is chosen from allyl, acetyl, trifluoroacetyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl, isovalerylcarbonyl, trans-3-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamoylcarbonyl, heptafluorobutyrylcarbonyl, decanoylcarbonyl, trans-cinnamoylcarbonyl, butyrylcarbonyl, 3-chloropropionylcarbonyl, cinnamoylcarbonyl, 4-methylcinnamoylcarbonyl, hydrocinnamoylcarbonyl, or trans-hexenoylcarbonyl, or alanyl, arginyl, aspartyl, asparagyl, cystyl, glutamyl, glutaminyl, glycyl, histidyl, hydroxyprolyl, isoleucyl, leucyl, lysyl, methionyl, phenylalanyl, prolyl, seryl, threonyl, thyronyl, tryptophyl, tyrosyl, valyl, or other amino acid acyl group, phthalimido or other cyclic amido group.

R¹⁸ is suitably as defined for R⁵, though the most preferred definition is hydroxy.

R²¹ is —H, or more preferably —OH or —CN.

Ring E is of the formula:

where R¹⁸ is —OH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group and is suitably of the formula —OX¹. Examples apart from —OH include cinnamoyloxy.

X¹ or X² when an amine protecting group, and Prot¹ and Prot² can be as defined for R¹², and reference is made to WO 0187895 for more information.

X¹ when a hydroxy protecting group, and Prot³ can be known protecting groups for a hydroxy function. Suitable protecting groups for hydroxy groups include ethers and esters, such as alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxyalkyl, alkylsilylalkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, arylthioalkyl, azidoalkyl, cyanoalkyl, chloroalkyl, heterocyclic, arylacyl, haloarylacyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkylarylalkyl, alkoxyarylalkyl, nitroarylalkyl, haloarylalkyl, alkylaminocarbonylarylalkyl, alkylsulfinylarylalkyl, alkylsilyl and other ethers, and arylacyl, aryl alkyl carbonate, aliphatic carbonate, alkylsulfinylarlyalkyl carbonate, alkyl carbonate, aryl haloalkyl carbonate, aryl alkenyl carbonate, aryl carbamate, alkyl phosphinyl, alkylphosphinothioyl, aryl phosphinothioyl, aryl alkyl sulphonate and other esters. Such groups may optionally be substituted. Further examples are given in our earlier patent specifications.

Each group R′ is independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, NO₂, NH₂, SH, CN, halogen, ═O, C(═O)H, C(═O)CH₃, CO₂H, CO₂CH₃, C₁-C₆ alkyl, alkynyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl and heterocyclic. Preferred definitions include H, acyl, alkyl, especially H and alkanoyl or cinnamoyl.

Preferred compounds of this invention include those complying with one or more of the following definitions:

R¹ is —CH₂NH₂ or —CH₂OH, or a protected or derivatised version of such a group (for which especially see WO 0187894, incorporated by specific reference at this point for its teaching of R¹ and thus all the teaching in WO 0187894 on R¹ forms part of the present text) and R⁴ is —H; or R¹ and R⁴ together form a group of formula (II), (III), (IV), (V) or (VI) wherein X is O, NH or NR and Y is O, S or S═O and R is a nitrogen protecting group and R′ is H or OH or OMe or Me.

R⁵ is —OH, —OAc or —OAllyl or —OCinnamoyl or —OOctanoyl;

R⁷ and R⁸ together form a group —O—CH₂—O—; R^(12b) is H, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, arylalkylene, haloalkylarylakylene, acyl, haloacyl, carbonate, carbamate, arylalkyl, alkenyl and amino acid. Preferably R^(12b) is H, methyl, allyl, acetyl, trifluoroacetyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl, isovalerylcarbonyl, trans-3-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamoylcarbonyl, heptafluorobutyrylcarbonyl, decanoylcarbonyl, trans-cinnamoylcarbonyl, butyrylcarbonyl, 3-chloropropyonylcarbonyl, cinnamoylcarbonyl, 4-methylcinnamoylcarbonyl, hydrocinnamoylcarbonyl, or trans-hexenoylcarbonyl, or alanyl, arginyl, aspartyl, asparagyl, cystyl, glutamyl, glutaminyl, glycyl, histidyl, hydroxyprolyl, isoleucyl, leucyl, lysyl, methionyl, phenylalanyl, prolyl, seryl, threonyl, thyronyl, tryptophyl, tyrosyl, valyl, as well as other less common amino acid acyl groups, as well as phthalimido and other cyclic amides. Ring E is of the formula:

Suitable halogen substituents in the compounds of the present invention include F, Cl, Br and I.

Alkyl groups preferably have from 1 to 24 carbon atoms. One more preferred class of alkyl groups has 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, yet more preferably 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, and most preferably 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Another more preferred class of alkyl groups has 12 to about 24 carbon atoms, yet more preferably 12 to about 18 carbon atoms, and most preferably 13, 15 or 17 carbon atoms. Methyl, ethyl and propyl including isopropyl are particularly preferred alkyl groups in the compounds of the present invention. As used herein, the term alkyl, unless otherwise modified, refers to both cyclic and noncyclic groups, although cyclic groups will comprise at least three carbon ring members.

Preferred alkenyl and alkynyl groups in the compounds of the present invention have one or more unsaturated linkages and from 2 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, still more preferably 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, even more preferably 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. The terms alkenyl and alkynyl as used herein refer to both cyclic and noncyclic groups, although straight or branched noncyclic groups are generally more preferred.

Preferred alkoxy groups in the compounds of the present invention include groups having one or more oxygen linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, and most preferably 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms.

Preferred alkylthio groups in the compounds of the present invention have one or more thioether linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Alkylthio groups having 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms are particularly preferred.

Preferred alkylsulfinyl groups in the compounds of the present invention include those groups having one or more sulfoxide (SO) groups and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Alkylsulfinyl groups having 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms are particularly preferred.

Preferred alkylsulfonyl groups in the compounds of the present invention include those groups having one or more sulfonyl (SO₂) groups and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Alkylsulfonyl groups having 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms are particularly preferred.

Preferred aminoalkyl groups include those groups having one or more primary, secondary and/or tertiary amine groups, and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, even more preferably 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Secondary and tertiary amine groups are generally more preferred than primary amine moieties.

Heterocylic groups include heteroaromatic and heteroalicyclic groups. Suitable heteroaromatic groups in the compounds of the present invention contain one, two or three heteroatoms selected from N, O or S atoms and include, e.g., coumarinyl including 8-coumarinyl, quinolinyl including 8-quinolinyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, benzofuranyl and benzothiazol. Suitable heteroalicyclic groups in the compounds of the present invention contain one, two or three heteroatoms selected from N, O or S atoms and include, e.g., tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, piperidinyl, morpholino and pyrrolindinyl groups.

Suitable carbocyclic aryl groups in the compounds of the present invention include single and multiple ring compounds, including multiple ring compounds that contain separate and/or fused aryl groups. Typical carbocyclic aryl groups contain 1 to 3 separate or fused rings and from 6 to about 18 carbon ring atoms. Specifically preferred carbocyclic aryl groups include phenyl including substituted phenyl, such as 2-substituted phenyl, 3-substituted phenyl, 2,3-substituted phenyl, 2,5-substituted phenyl, 2,3,5-substituted and 2,4,5-substituted phenyl, including where one or more of the phenyl substituents is an electron-withdrawing group such as halogen, cyano, nitro, alkanoyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl and the like; naphthyl including 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl; biphenyl; phenanthryl; and anthracyl.

Preferred acyl groups are R′—CO— including alkyl-CO, alkenyl-CO, alkynyl-CO, aryl-CO, heterocyclic-CO, amongst others.

References herein to substituted groups in the compounds of the present invention refer to the specified moiety that may be substituted at one or more available positions by one or more suitable groups as mentioned above, e.g., halogen such as fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodide; cyano; hydroxyl; nitro; azido; alkanoyl such as a C1-6 alkanoyl group such as acyl and the like; carboxamido; alkyl groups including those groups having 1 to about 2 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and more preferably 1-3 carbon atoms; alkenyl and alkynyl groups including groups having one or more unsaturated linkages and from 2 to about 12 carbon or from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms; alkoxy groups having those having one or more oxygen linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; aryloxy such as phenoxy; alkylthio groups including those moieties having one or more thioether linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbo atoms; alkylsulfinyl groups including those moieties having one or more sulfonyl linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; alkylsulfinyl groups including those moieties having one or more sulfonyl linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; aminoalkyl groups such as groups having one or more N atoms and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; carbocyclic aryl having 6 or more carbons, particularly phenyl (e.g., R being a substituted or unsubstituted biphenyl moiety); and aralkyl such as benzyl.

Preferred R′ groups are present in groups of formula R′, COR′ or OCOR′ and include alkyl or alkenyl, that may be substituted at one or more available positions by one or more suitable groups, e.g., halogen such as fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo, especially ω-chloro or perfluoro; aminoalkyl groups such as groups having one or more N atoms and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, and especially including amino acid, notably glycine, alanine, arginine, asparagine, asparaginic acid, cystein, glutamine, glutamic acid, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine or valine, especially protected forms of such amino acids; carbocylic aryl having 6 or more carbons, particularly phenyl; and aralkyl such as benzyl; heterocyclic groups including heteroalicyclic and heteroaromatic groups, especially with 5 to 10 ring atoms of which 1 to 4 are heteroatoms, more preferably heterocyclic groups with 5 or 6 ring atoms and 1 or 2 heteroatoms or with 10 ring atoms and 1 to 3 heteroatoms, the heterocyclic groups optionally being substituted with one or more of the substituents permitted for R′ and especially amino such as dimethylamino or with keto.

The acyl derivatives such as —CO—R′ can be N-acyl or N-thioacyl derivatives thereof, as well as cyclic amides. The acyl groups can illustratively be alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, arylalkanoyl, alkenyl, heterocyclylacyl, aroyl, arylaroyl, haloaroyl, nitroaroyl, or other acyl groups. R′ or similar group of an acyl can be various groups such as alkyl, alkoxy, alkylene, arylalkyl, arylalkylene, amino acid acyl, or heterocyclyl, each optionally substituted with halo, cyano, nitro, carboxyalkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocycyloxy, alkyl, amino or substituted amino. Other acylating agents include isothiocyanates, such as aryl isothiocyanates, notably phenyl isocyanate. The alkyl, alkoxy or alkylene groups suitably have 1 to 6 or 12 carbon atoms, and can be linear, branched or cyclic. Aryl groups are typically phenyl, biphenyl or naphthyl. Heterocyclyl groups can be aromatic or partially or completely unsaturated and suitably have 4 to 8 ring atoms, more preferably 5 or 6 ring atoms, with one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen.

Without being exhaustive, typical R′ groups in acyl groups include alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, arylalkylene, haloalkylarylakylene, acyl, haloacyl, arylalkyl, alkenyl and amino acid. For example, R′—CO— can be acetyl, trifluoroacetyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl, isovalerylcarbonyl, trans-3-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamoylcarbonyl, heptafluorobutyrylcarbonyl, decanoylcarbonyl, trans-cinnamoylcarbonyl, butyrylcarbonyl, 3-chloropropyonylcarbonyl, cinnamoylcarbonyl, 4-methylcinnamoylcarbonyl, hydrocinnamoylcarbonyl, or trans-hexenoylcarbonyl, or alanyl, arginyl, aspartyl, asparagyl, cystyl, glutamyl, glutaminyl, glycyl, histidyl, hydroxyprolyl, isoleucyl, leucyl, lysyl, methionyl, phenylalanyl, prolyl, seryl, threonyl, thyronyl, tryptophyl, tyrosyl, valyl, as well as other less common amino acid acyl groups, as well as phthalimido and other cyclic amides.

One class of preferred compounds of this invention includes compounds of this invention which have one or more of the following substituents:

R¹ and R⁴ form a bridge as defined, or R¹ is as defined and R⁴ is hydrogen. R⁵ is hydrogen; alkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; C(═O)R′, where R′ is alkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, especially 1 to 8 or 12 to 18 carbon atoms; haloalkyl, more preferably ω-chloro- or perfluoro-alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, especially ω-chloroethyl or perfluoromethyl, ethyl or propyl; heterocyclicalkyl, more preferably an alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms with an {tilde over (ω)}-heterocyclic substituent suitably having 5 to 10 ring atoms and 1 to 4 heteroatoms, including fused heteroalicyclic with 3 hetero atoms, such as biotin; aminoalkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, especially 2 carbon atoms, with an ω-amino group optionally protected for example with alkoxycarbonyl such as (CH₃)₃C—O—C═O— or other protecting group; arylalkylene, especially cinnamoyl; alkylene, especially vinyl or allyl; aralkyl, such as benzyl; or C(═O)OR′, where R′ is alkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, especially branched alkyl; alkenyl, more preferably allyl; R¹² is hydrogen, methyl, or a protecting group including alkoxycarbonyl such as (CH₃)₃C—O—C═O—. R¹⁸ when present is hydrogen; alkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; (C═O)R′, where R′ is alkoxy, especially with an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; alkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 or 12 to 18 carbon atoms; haloalkyl, more preferably perfluoroalkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, especially perfluoromethyl, ethyl or propyl; arylalkylene, especially cinnamoyl; heterocyclicalkyl, more preferably an alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms with an ω heterocyclic substituent suitably having 5 to 12 ring atoms and 1 to 4 heteroatoms, including fused heterocyclic with 3 ring atoms, such as biotin; heterocyclicalkyl, with preferably 1 carbon atom in the alkyl group, and more preferably heteroalicyclicmethyl with 5 to 10 ring atoms and 1 to 4 ring atoms, especially fused heterocylic with 1 to 4 heteroatoms, such as dimethylaminocoumarin or coumarin; alkylene, especially allyl; aralkyl, such as benzyl; (C═O)OR′, where R′ is alkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; alkylene, especially vinyl or allyl; aralkyl, such as benzyl. R^(d) is OC(═O)R′, where R′ is alkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 or 12 to 18 carbon atoms; haloalkyl, more preferably ω-chloro- or perfluoro-alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, especially ω-chloroethyl or perfluoromethyl, ethyl or propyl; aralkyl, such as benzyl or phenethyl; arylalkylene, especially cinnamoyl; aminoalkyl, especially amino acid, more especially protected amino acid, including protected cysteinine, notably Fm—S CH₂CH(NHBOC)-cys or protected alanine, notably (CH₃)₃C—O—C═O-ala; heterocyclicalkyl, more preferably an alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms with an ω-heterocyclic substituent suitably having 5 to 12 ring atoms and 1 to 4 heteroatoms, including fused heterocyclic with 3 ring atoms, such as biotin; heterocyclicalkyl, with preferably 1 carbon atom in the alkyl group, and more preferably heteroalicyclicmethyl with 5 to 10 ring atoms and 1 to 4 ring atoms, especially fused heterocylic with 1 to 4 heteroatoms, such as coumarin or dimethylaminocoumarin; O(C═O)OR′, where R′ is alkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; alkylene, especially vinyl or allyl; aralkyl, such as benzyl; OP═O(OR′)₂, where R′ is benzyl. X¹ is hydrogen; alkyl, more preferably alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; (C═O)OR′, where R′ is alkylene, especially vinyl. R²¹ is hydrogen, hydroxy, or cyano.

Compounds with changes at R⁵ are part of this invention, especially ester groups, R₁═R′CO—, with R′ a long aliphatic or aromatic group.

There are compounds that have good ADME properties (absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion) which are good indicative of pharmacokinetics.

In a related aspect of this invention, the compounds have one or more of the following features:

R¹ is —CH₂—N(R′)₂ or —CH₂—OR′, where each R′ is H; alkyl-CO—; haloalkyl-CO—; cycloalkylalkyl-CO—; haloalkyl-O—CO—; arylalkyl-CO—; arylalkenyl-CO—; heteroaryl-CO—; alkenyl-CO—; alkenyl; amino acid acyl; or a protecting group;

R⁵ is acetyl or another acyl. Preferably it has at least 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms, for example up to 18 or 24 carbon atoms. Suitable substituents include esters COR′, where R′ is alkyl, alkenyl, often with one or more substituents. Alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl and arylalkenyl are preferred, with suitable substituents including aryl, heterocyclic. Other definitions for R⁵ include esters of formula COR′ derived from an amino acid, optionally a protected amino acid.

R¹⁸ is hydroxy or it is OR′, OCOR′ or OCOOR′ where R′ is a substituent with some bulk. Such bulky substituents include those with branched chain groups, unsaturated groups or cyclic groups including aromatic groups. Thus, branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, branched alkenyl, aryl, heteroaromatic and related groups are preferred for inclusion within the structure of the substituent R¹⁸. Preferably the total number of carbon atoms is 2 to 24, more preferably 6 to 18 carbon atoms. Typically R¹⁸ is an ester, ether or carbonate, being of formula OCOR′, OR′ or OCOOR′.

R^(d) is hydroxy or methoxy. Alternatively, it is OR′, OCOR′ or OCOOR′ where R′ is a substituent with some bulk. Such bulky substituents include those with branched chain groups, unsaturated groups or cyclic groups including aromatic groups. Thus, branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, branched alkenyl, aryl, heteroaromatic and related groups are preferred for inclusion within the structure of the substituent. Preferably the total number of carbon atoms is 2 to 24, more preferably 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Without being exhaustive, another class of preferred compounds of this invention have one or more of the following definitions:

R²¹ is H, —CN or —OH, most especially —OH or —CN. R⁵ is preferably H or acetyl; arylalkyl, especially benzyl; alkyl-CO— (alkyl being up to 25 carbon atoms, such as up to 17, 19 or 21 carbon atoms and preferably an odd number of carbon atoms corresponding to a fatty acid carboxylic acid of even number of carbon atoms or else a low number of carbon atoms such as 1 to 6) especially CH₃—(CH₂)_(n)—CO— where n is for example 1. 2. 4. 6. 12. 14 or 16; haloalkyl-CO—, especially trifluoromethylcarbonyl; arylalkyl-CO—, especially benzyl-CO—; arylalkenyl-CO—, especially cinnamoyl-CO—; most especially R₁ is H, acetyl or cinnamoyl. R¹² is H; alkyl, especially methyl; alkyl-O—CO—, especially t-butyl-O—CO— or alkenyl-O—CO—, especially allyl-O—CO—. R¹⁸ is preferably H or acetyl; alkyl (alkyl being 1 to 6 carbon atoms), especially C₁ to C₃ alkyl; alkenyl, especially allyl; arylalkyl, especially benzyl; alkyl-CO— (alkyl being up to 25 carbon atoms, such as up to 17, 19 or 21 carbon atoms and preferably an odd number of carbon atoms corresponding to a fatty acid carboxylic acid of even number of carbon atoms or else a low number of carbon atoms such as 1 to 6) especially CH₃—(CH₂)_(n)—CO— where n is for example 1. 2. 4. 6. 12. 14 or 16 and derivatives thereof, as in Biotin-(CH₂)₄—CO—; arylalkenyl-CO—, especially cinnamoyl-CO—; alkyl-O—CO—, especially t-butyl-O—CO—; arylalkyl-O—CO—, especially benzyl-O—CO—; alkenyl-O—CO, especially allyl-O—CO—. R^(d) is preferably OH, O-acetyl, O-alkyl (alkyl being 1 to 6 carbon atoms) especially C₁ to C₃ alkyl; O-alkenyl, especially allyl; arylalkyl-O—, especially benzyl; alkyl-CO—O— (alkyl being up to 25 carbon atoms, such as up to 17, 19 or 21 carbon atoms and preferably an odd number of carbon atoms corresponding to a fatty acid carboxylic acid of even number of carbon atoms or else a low number of carbon atoms such as 1 to 6) especially CH₃—(CH₂)_(n)—CO—O— where n is for example 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 14 or 16 and derivatives thereof, as in Biotin-(CH₂)₄—COO—; haloalkyl-CO—O—, especially trifluoromethylcarbonyl; amino acid acyl or a derivative thereof, as in FmSCH₂CH(NHBOC)CO—O—; arylalkenyl-CO—O—, especially cinnamoyl-CO—O—; alkyl-O—CO—O—, especially tert-butyl-O—CO—O—; alkenyl-O—CO—O—, especially allyl-O—CO—O—; especially benzyl-O—CO—O—; protecting group as in PO(OBn)₂; most especially R₄ is OH, acyloxy as cinnamoyloxy. X¹ is H or alkyl (alkyl being 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and R₅ is most especially H or C₁ to C₃ alkyl.

The process which comprises providing an ecteinascidin with a substitutent at the N-12 position, and removing that substituent, is typically carried out using an ecteinascidin compound with an N-12 methyl group. Examples of such compounds are to be found in our published and copending PCT patent applications relating to ecteinascidin compounds. These applications are incorporated herein in full by specific reference. Removal of the N-12 methyl group can be achieved using known demethylation procedures.

Within the generality of this reaction we also include the process where the substituent is a protecting group, and the protecting group is removed.

The N—H group at the 12-position can be derivatised with a group R12^(a). Suitable examples are as defined for R^(d) with the exception of hydrogen. Preferred examples include acyl, especially alkyl-CO—; alkenyl, especially allyl; or alkyl-O—CO—. especially tBOC.

The process for making ecteinascidin 729 and related compounds can be modelled on the synthetic procedures given in WO 0187895. Typically, the process can employ a starting compound with a methyl group at N-12, which is replaced by a protecting group.

For example, in accordance with a process of this invention, a compound of formula (B):

where R²¹ is as defined, and Prot³ is a protecting group, is subjected to converting —CH₂NH₂ at the 1-position to —CH₂OH, protecting the —CH₂OH at the 1-position, protecting the —OH at the 18-position, removing the methyl group at the 12-position, deprotecting the 5-position, forming a 10-hydroxy-di-6,8-enone, protecting the 12-position, removing the protecting group at the 1-position, forming a labile group at the 1-position set up for giving a 1,4 bridge, forming the 1,4 bridge, deprotecting the 18-position, optionally modifying the 1,4 bridge, removing the protecting group at the 12-position, and optionally further modifying the structure.

The —CH₂OH at the 1-position is protected for example with a tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy group. The —OH at the 18-position is protected for example with a methoxyethoxymethyl group. The 12-position is protected for example with an allyl group. A labile group at the 1-position is typically formed using a reagent of formula:

—CH₂—X′—C(═O)—CHNProt²-SH,

where X′ is —O— or —NProt¹-, and Prot¹ and Prot² are as defined. The 1,4 bridge can be modified, as for example by removing protection from —NProt¹- to give —NH— which may then be further derivatised, deprotecting —NProt²- to —NH— and optionally converting to —C(═O)— which may then be further derivatised, thus giving the range of possibilities for the 1,4 bridge defined by the given formula —⁽¹⁾CH₂—X—C(═O)—C(R^(a))(R^(b))—S⁽⁴⁾—.

Examples of further modifications which may be carried out on the structure include one or more of altering the 1-substituent such as converting a 21-nitrile group to a 21-hydroxy group. altering the 5-substituent, altering the 18-substituent, oxidising the sulphur in the 1,4 bridge, adding a substituent at the 12-position, and converting ring E to a quinone.

FURTHER DETAILS OF THE INVENTION

Intermediates 1 and 16 (denoted as intermediates 21 and 36 respectively in patent applications WO 0069862 and WO 0187895) are useful for the preparation of other ecteinascidin compounds as detailed herein. Also other quinone related analogues are described herein from intermediate 16 and 18 (denoted as intermediate 35 in patent applications WO 0069862 and WO 0187895).

In particular, from intermediate 1 it is possible to synthesize the naturally occurring ecteinascidin compound ET729.

Similarly, from intermediate 16 it is possible to synthesize the naturally occurring compounds ET594, ET745 and ET759B (via ET770 and ET743 as intermediates)) and the quinones related to ET594 and ET736, respectively. The quinone related to ET637 is obtained from intermediate 18.

The synthesis of ET729 is described herein; the current invention is also directed at the preparation of new analogues of ET729 from intermediate 12 following a similar synthetic sequence.

In a further aspect of the current invention, intermediate 1 is used in the synthesis of a new family of ecteinascidin analogues (such as 77) in which the 1,4 bridge includes an amide linkage rather than the lactone linkage found in ET-743.

Thus according to the present invention, we provide ecteinascidin derivatives having an amide linkage rather than the lactone linkage found in ET-743, or lacking the bridge. The definition of the new compounds excludes the known ecteinascidin compounds. The new compounds include those in the table at the end of this specification, and analogues thereof. The analogues may differ by one or more substituents from those exemplified in our WO0187894, WO0187895 or WO0069862, and generally are within the relevant formulae given in our WO0187894, WO0187895 or WO0069862.

Thus, a general formula for the compounds of this invention is arrived at by identifying a new compound in the present specification, especially the table, and generalising in accordance with the definitions of the rest of the molecule based on a general formula of the preceding applications. Preferred definitions given in our earlier WO filings will then also apply.

The synthetic methods of the present invention provide the first methods for the preparation of ET729, ET594, ET745 and ET759B; and the quinones related of ET594, ET637, ET736 and the bridged lactam analog of ET743 and related intermediates. Furthermore the present invention provides the first synthetic methods for preparation of different analogs of ET729.

Such synthetic routes may provide more economic paths to the known antitumour agents, as well as permitting preparation of new active compounds.

Suitable starting materials for the new synthetic processes include compounds related to the natural bis(tetrahydroisoquinoline) alkaloids. Such starting materials may be prepared either from the different classes of saframycin and safracin antibiotics available from different culture broths as detailed in patent applications WO 0187894 and WO 0187895 or by other synthetic or biochemical processes.

In one particular aspect, the present invention is directed at the use of the Intermediate 1 (intermediate 21 in patent applications WO 0187894 and WO 0187895) in a new synthetic process for the preparation of ecteinascidin 729 as detailed in Scheme I.

In general, the conversion of Intermediate 1, or a related compound, to an ecteinascidin product such as ET729 involves the following transformations:

-   (a) Conversion of the NH₂ to OH by reaction, for example with sodium     nitrite in acetic acid. -   (b) Protection of the primary OH and the E-ring phenol. -   (c) Demethylation of the bridged secondary amine followed by     deprotection and oxidation of the A-ring phenol and subsequent     allylation of the bridged amine. -   (d) Deprotection and esterification of the primary alcohol with a     protected cysteine sidechain to give intermediate 10. -   (e) Creation of the bridged ring by cyclization reaction (to     give 11) and subsequent N and O deprotection reactions to give     intermediate 12. -   (f) Introduction of the dopamine residue by transamination and     Pictect-Spengler reactions to give intermediate 14. -   (g) Removal of the N allyl protecting group and conversion of the CN     to OH.

Therefore in summary, it is now feasible to transform intermediate 1 (obtainable from cyanosafracin B) into ET-729, resulting in the first synthetic approach to this naturally occurring ecteinascidin.

The high functionality of the intermediate compounds necessitates the use of protecting groups for the E-ring phenol, the cysteine sidechain, the bridged nitrogen and the primary alcohol in order to prevent unwanted side reactions.

As such, a number of alternative intermediates can be generated dependent on the particular selection of protecting groups. The use of other protecting group strategies not detailed is also part of this invention.

In a further aspect, the current invention provides new processes for the conversion of intermediate 16 (denoted as intermediate 36 in patent applications WO 0069862 and WO 0187895) into the naturally occurring ecteinascidin compounds ET594, ET745 and ET759B as detailed in Scheme 2.

Intermediate 16 is obtained from intermediate 1 as described in the above mentioned patent applications, and has the same structure of intermediate 13 of scheme 1 with -Me bonded to N instead of -Allyl.

In more detail such processes involve the following conversions.

-   (a) Generation of ET594 from intermediate 16 in a single step by     conversion of the CN group into an OH group. -   (b) Synthesis of ET745 from ET743 (obtained in two steps from     intermediate 16) by reductive cleavage of the secondary alcohol     functionality. -   (c) Generation of ET759B from intermediate 16 in three steps     involving the formation of ET770 followed by oxidation and     conversion of the nitrile group into a hydroxy group.

Thus, the current invention also provides simple new methods for producing the naturally occurring ecteinascidin compounds ET594, ET745 and ET759B from intermediate 16 (obtainable from cyanosafracin B).

Furthermore, the current invention provides a process for the synthesis of the quinone derivatives of ET594, ET637 and ET736 from intermediate 16 (denoted as intermediate 36 in patent applications WO 0187894 and WO 0187895) and intermediate 18 (denoted as intermediate 35 in patent applications WO 0069862 and WO 0187895). (Scheme 3).

In more detail, such processes involve the following conversions.

-   -   (a) Generation of ET637-quinone from intermediate 18 in three         steps involving the formation of intermediate 19 by acetylation         of the amine group, followed by oxidation of the phenolic ring         and conversion of the nitrile group into a hydroxyl group.     -   (b) Synthesis of ET594-quinone in two steps from intermediate 16         through an oxidation reaction of the phenolic ring and         conversion of the nitrile group into a hydroxyl group.     -   (c) Synthesis of ET736-quinone in three steps from intermediate         16 involving the introduction of the tryptamine moiety to         generate intermediate 22, oxidation reaction and conversion of         the nitrile group into a hydroxyl group.

Thus, the current invention provides short and new methods for producing the oxidized derivatives of the naturally occurring ecteinascidin compounds Et594, ET637 and ET736 from intermediates 16 and 18 (both obtainable from cyanosafracin B).

In a further embodiment and following the synthetic sequence of ET729, the present invention provides processes for producing new and different analogues of ET729 from intermediate 12. The preferred methods of producing the compounds of formula I, II and III are described below in the following reaction schemes with examples of typical substituent groups.

In general, the conversion of Intermediate 12 or 13, to different analogues of ET729 involves the following transformations:

-   -   (a) Acylation reactions through the different procedures         described in the experimental part, deallylation reactions at         N-12 and interconversion of the nitrile group into the hydroxyl         group. Compound 40 is an example of intermediate with typical         substituent groups wherein two consecutive acylation reactions         has placed, followed by the two last steps described above.     -   (b) Generation of compound 35 form intermediate 30 in a single         step by acetylation reaction at N-12.     -   (c) Synthesis of compound 43 from compound 13 by deallylation         reaction and conversion of the nitrile group into the hydroxyl         group with CuCl.

In more detail, such processes involve the following transformations from intermediate 13.

-   -   (a) Generation of intermediate 46 in two steps from compound 14         by protection of the hydroxyl group as Boc carbonate and         deacetylation at C-5 with KOH.     -   (b) Synthesis of compounds 53 and 54 from intermediate 46         following the same synthetic sequence: Acylation reaction at C-5         with cinnamoyl chloride or octanoic acid, deprotection of the         carbonate group, deallylation reaction at N-12 and finally         conversion of the nitrile group into the hydroxyl group.     -   (c) Synthesis of different analogues of ET729 from intermediate         13 involving three steps: introduction of the tryptamine moiety,         deallylation reaction and conversion of the nitrile group into         the hydroxyl group.

In more detail, scheme 6 describes the synthesis of compound 67 and 68 from intermediate 14 and ET729 respectively.

In a further embodiment, the current invention provides a process for the synthesis of a new family of ecteinascidin compounds wherein the lactone linkage of the 1,4 bridge of ET743 and related intermediates is replaced with an amide linkage, as detailed in Scheme 7.

In more detail, intermediate 1 (intermediate 21 in patent applications WO 0069862 and WO 0187895) can be converted to such compounds through the following sequence of steps:

-   -   (a) Introduction of a protected cysteine fragment in a single         step by coupling with the primary amine functionality of         intermediate 1.     -   (b) Protecting group manipulations and an oxidation reaction to         generate intermediate 72.     -   (c) Cyclization to generate the desired lactam bridge structure         followed by deprotection of the primary amine.     -   (d) Completion of the synthesis through transamination,         Pictect-Spengler reaction and conversion of the nitrile into a         hydroxyl group.

Thus this invention provides a process for the synthesis of a large family of compounds related to ET743 in which the lactone linkage of the bridge structure has been replaced by a lactam linkage.

As the skilled artisan will readily appreciate, the reaction schemes described herein may be modified and/or combined in various ways, and the alternative sequences of steps and the compounds generated therefrom are part of this invention.

Thus, by these and other routes, it is possible to transform cyanosafracin B into a number of intermediates and derivatives with potential antitumor therapeutic activity. These intermediates can be made starting from already described compounds, or using alternative routes.

Novel Active Compounds

We have additionally found that certain of the compounds of the invention which we initially prepared as intermediates have exceptional activity in the treatment of cancers, such as leukaemias, lung cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer and melanoma.

Thus, the present invention provides a method of treating any mammal, notably a human, affected by cancer which comprises administering to the affected individual a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof.

The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical preparations, which contain as active ingredient a compound or compounds of the invention, as well as the processes for their preparation.

Examples of pharmaceutical compositions include any solid (tablets, pills, capsules, granules, etc.) or liquid (solutions, suspensions or emulsions) with suitable composition or oral, topical or parenteral administration, and they may contain the pure compound or in combination with any carrier or other pharmacologically active compounds. These compositions may need to be sterile when administered parenterally.

Administration of the compounds or compositions of the present invention may be by any suitable method, such as intravenous infusion, oral preparations, intraperitoneal and intravenous administration. We prefer that infusion times of up to 24 hours are used, more preferably 2-12 hours, with 2-6 hours most preferred. Short infusion times which allow treatment to be carried out without an overnight stay in hospital are especially desirable. However, infusion may be 12 to 24 hours or even longer if required. Infusion may be carried out at suitable intervals of say 2 to 4 weeks. Pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the invention may be delivered by liposome or nanosphere encapsulation, in sustained release formulations or by other standard delivery means.

The correct dosage of the compounds will vary according to the particular formulation, the mode of application, and the particular situs, host and tumour being treated. Other factors like age, body weight, sex, diet, time of administration, rate of excretion, condition of the host, drug combinations, reaction sensitivities and severity of the disease shall be taken into account. Administration can be carried out continuously or periodically within the maximum tolerated dose.

The compounds and compositions of this invention may be used with other drugs to provide a combination therapy. The other drugs may form part of the same composition, or be provided as a separate composition for administration at the same time or a different time. The identity of the other drug is not particularly limited, and suitable candidates include:

a) drugs with antimitotic effects, especially those which target cytoskeletal elements, including microtubule modulators such as taxane drugs (such as taxol, paclitaxel, taxotere, docetaxel), podophylotoxins or vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine); b) antimetabolite drugs such as 5-fluorouracil, cytarabine, gemcitabine, purine analogues such as pentostatin, methotrexate); c) alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustards (such as cyclophosphamide or ifosphamide); d) drugs which target DNA such as the antracycline drugs adriamycin, doxorubicin, pharmorubicin or epirubicin; e) drugs which target topoisomerases such as etoposide; f) hormones and hormone agonists or antagonists such as estrogens, antiestrogens (tamoxifen and related compounds) and androgens, flutamide, leuprorelin, goserelin, cyprotrone or octreotide; g) drugs which target signal transduction in tumour cells including antibody derivatives such as herceptin; h) alkylating drugs such as platinum drugs (cis-platin, carbonplatin, oxaliplatin, paraplatin) or nitrosoureas; i) drugs potentially affecting metastasis of tumours such as matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors; j) gene therapy and antisense agents; k) antibody therapeutics; l) other bioactive compounds of marine origin, notably the didemnins such as aplidine; m) steroid analogues, in particular dexamethasone; n) anti-inflammatory drugs, in particular dexamethasone; and o) anti-emetic drugs, in particular dexamethasone.

The present invention also extends to the compounds of the invention for use in a method of treatment, and to the use of the compounds in the preparation of a composition for treatment of cancer.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is illustrated by the following examples.

Experimental Part Example 1

A solution of 1 (9.84 g, 18.97 mmol) in THF (569 mL) and H₂O (285 mL) was cooled at 0° C. with an ice bath. Then, NaNO₂ (1.96 g, 28.45 mmol) and 90% aq. AcOH (18.97 mL, 0.33 mol) were added at 0° C. and the mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 18 h. After cooling down the reaction to 0° C., a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (300 mL, basic pH) and dichloromethane (500 mL) were added. After extraction, the aqueous phase was further extracted with dichloromethane (2×300 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The crude solid was then dissolved in MeOH (379 mL), and 1M NaOH (38 mL) was added at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 4 h. After dilution with EtOAc (600 mL) at 0° C., the organic layer was washed with a mixture of water (400 mL) and, a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (100 mL, basic pH). After extraction, the aqueous phase was further extracted with EtOAc (3×300 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (SiO₂, Hex:EtOAc gradient from 3:1 to 2:1) to afford 2 (4.55 g, 46%) as a white solid.

Rf: 0.33 (Hex:EtOAc 1:1).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) 6.48 (s, 1H), 6.15-6.02 (m, 1H), 5.92 (d, 1H), 5.86 (d, 1H), 5.77 (s, 1H), 5.39 (dd, 1H), 5.26 (dd, 1H), 4.24-4.15 (m, 3H), 4.04 (d, 1H), 3.97 (t, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.64 (dt, 1H), 3.43 (dd, 1H), 3.38-3.34 (m, 2H), 3.31 (t, 1H), 3.22 (dd, 1H), 3.10 (dd, 1H), 2.49 (d, 1H), 2.34 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.11 (s, 3H), 1.88 (dd, 1H).

¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) 148.6, 146.7, 144.4, 143.0, 138.9, 133.9, 130.2, 129.1, 121.1, 120.9, 117.7, 117.4, 116.8, 113.3, 112.3, 101.1, 74.3, 63.7, 60.6, 60.1, 58.1, 56.9, 56.7, 55.4, 41.7, 26.2, 25.7, 15.7, 9.3.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₂₉H₃₃N₃O₆: 519.59. Found (M+1)⁺: 520.3.

Example 2

To a solution of 2 (9.33 g, 0.018 mol), in anhydrous DMF (40 mL, 0.45 M) was added at 23° C. imidazole (3.05 g, 0.045 mol) and DMAP (219 mg, 0.0018 mol). The solution was cooled at 0° C. and TBDPSCl (7.0 mL, 0.027 mol) was dropwise added under argon atmosphere. The reaction mixture was allowed to reach 23° C. and left at this temperature for 1 hour and 15 minutes. After this time, water (350 mL) and a mixture of ethyl acetate/hexane (3:2, 250 mL) were added. The organic phase was separated, dried over sodium sulphate and filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude material was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 15:85 to 2:3) to afford 3 (11.8 g, 87%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.36 (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:3)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.55 (d, 2H), 7.41-7.22 (m, 8H), 6.45 (s, 1H), 6.18-6.02 (m, 1H), 6.78 (s, 2H), 6.61 (s, 1H), 5.35 (d, 1H), 5.21 (d, 1H), 4.42 (d, 1H), 4.18 (m, 2H), 4.05 (m, 2H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.64 (dd, 1H), 3.41-3.31 (m, 2H), 3.29-3.20 (m, 2H); 3.02 (dd, 1H), 2.70 (d, 1H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.02 (dd, 1H), 0.90 (s, 9H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 148.69, 146.94, 144.33, 142.90, 139.35, 135.98, 135.67, 134.27, 133.56, 132.94, 131.49, 129.84, 129.70, 128.59, 127.79, 127.73, 122.13, 121.24, 118.94, 117.61, 117.55, 113.22, 112.04, 101.12, 74.52, 68.24, 61.89, 60.93, 59.29, 57.68, 57.06, 55.73, 42.01, 26.93, 26.79, 25.84, 19.19, 16.07, 9.56.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₅H₅₁N₃O₆Si: 757.3. Found (M+Na)⁺: 780.3.

Example 3

To a solution of intermediate 3 (11.75 g, 0.016 mol) in THF/H₂O (113 mL/0.31 mL, 0.14 M) was added MEM-chloride (3.0 mL, 0.026 mol). The solution was cooled at 0° C. and sodium hydride (930 mg, 0.023 mol) was portionwise added (1 hour and 15 minutes for the addition). The reaction mixture was left at 0° C. under Argon atmosphere for 1 hour. After this time water (150 mL) was added and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (2×150 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure to afford intermediate 4 (13.4 g, 100%) as a yellow solid. This compound is used for the next step without purification.

R_(f): 0.32 (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:2)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.58 (d, 2H), 7.38 (m, 6H), 7.27 (m, 2H), 6.70 (s, 1H), 6.18-6.02 (m, 1H), 5.75 (s, 1H), 5.60 (s, 1H), 5.40 (d, 1H), 5.28 (d, 1H), 5.24 (d, 1H), 5.19 (d, 1H), 4.50 (broad s, 1H), 4.38 (broad s, 1H), 4.20-3.97 (m, 4H), 3.85 (m, 1H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.58 (m, 3H), 3.38 (s, 3H), 3.38 (m, 2H), 3.22 (m, 2H), 3.02 (dd, 1H), 2.70 (d, 1H), 2.38 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 1.93 (dd, 1H), 0.84 (s, 9H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 148.76, 148.60, 148.49, 139.29, 135.87, 135.63, 134.18, 133.23, 132.89, 130.85, 130.49, 129.89, 129.77, 127.82, 127.73, 125.45, 121.76, 118.45, 117.55, 113.23, 111.97, 101.13, 98.49, 95.79, 74.26, 71.98, 71.95, 69.57, 67.44, 67.37, 66.95, 61.32, 59.85, 59.18, 59.10, 57.50, 57.16, 55.58, 41.69, 29.87, 26.83, 26.83, 26.12, 19.05, 16.07, 9.46.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₉H₅₉N₃O₈Si: 845.4. Found (M+1)⁺: 846.3.

Example 4

To a solution of intermediate 4 (2.51 g, 0.003 mol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (25 mL, 0.12 M) was added at −20° C. under Argon atmosphere m-CPBA (1.33 g, 0.006 mol). The solution was allowed to reach −10° C. for 25 minutes, TEA (4.14 mL, 0.03 mol) was added and the reaction mixture was left at 0° C., finally TFAA (6.29 mL, 0.045 mol) was dropwise added and the solution kept at 0° C. for 30 minutes. After this time water was added and the aqueous phase was separated, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:4 to 6:1 and final washes with methanol) to afford intermediate 5 (2.1 g, 85%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.19 (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.55 (d, 2H), 7.45-7.28 (m, 8H), 6.70 (s, 1H), 6.14-6.02 (m, 1H), 5.81 (d, 1H), 5.67 (d, 1H), 5.43-5.35 (m, 2H), 5.26 (m, 2H), 5.03 (broad s, 1H), 4.73 (broad s, 1H), 4.68 (m, 1H), 4.22-4.09 (m, 3H), 3.81 (broad s, 2H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.61 (dd, 1H), 3.53 (broad s, 4H), 3.46-3.28 (m, 2H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 2.97 (d, 1H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.11 (s, 3H), 1.95 (dd, 1H), 0.94 (s, 9H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₈H₅₇N₃O₈Si: 831.4. Found (M+Na)⁺: 832.3.

Example 5

To a solution of intermediate 5 (5.9 g, 7.09 mmol), (PPh₃)₂PdCl₂ (399 mg, 0.57 mmol), acetic acid (2.03 mL, 35.47 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (45 mL, 0.16 M) was dropwise added at 23° C. tributyltin hydride (6.7 mL, 24.83 mmol). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere for 35 minutes. The reaction mixture was poured onto column (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:4 to 8:1) to afford intermediate 6 (3.97 g, 71%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.17 (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.57 (d, 2H), 7.43-7.24 (m, 8H), 6.68 (s, 1H), 5.73 (d, 1H), 5.58 (d, 1H), 5.47 (d, 1H), 5.22 (d, 1H), 4.54 (d, 1H), 4.47 (d, 1H), 4.14 (m, 1H), 4.04 (dd, 1H), 3.94 (m, 1H), 3.73-3.65 (m, 4H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.39 (s, 3H), 3.38-3.30 (m, 2H), 3.25 (m, 1H), 3.11 (dd, 1H); 2.91 (d, 1H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.06 (s, 3H), 1.84 (dd, 1H), 0.91 (s, 9H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₅H₅₃N₃O₈Si: 791.4. Found (M+Na)⁺: 814.3.

Example 6

To a solution of intermediate 6 (1.87 g, 2.36 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (20 mL, 0.12 M) was dropwise added at −15° C. under Argon atmosphere a solution of benceneseleninic anhydride (1.82 g, 3.53 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (20 mL). The solution was left at −15° C. for 25 minutes. The reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane, and a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate was added at −10° C. The aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane, the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude of the reaction was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:6 to 6:1) to afford intermediate 7 (1.53 g, 80%) as a yellow solid and as a mixture of isomers 3:1 by ¹H-RMN.

R_(f): 0.24 (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.64 (dd, 6H), 7.57 (d, 2H), 7.40-7.25 (m, 12H), 6.65 (s, 1H), 6.53 (s, 1H), 5.65 (s, 1H), 5.42 (s, 1H), 5.25 (s, 1H), 5.23 (s, 1H), 5.22 (m, 1H), 5.19 (d, 1H), 5.11 (d, 1H), 5.06 (d, 1H), 4.80 (s, 1H), 4.73 (s, 1H), 4.43 (d, 1H), 4.36 (m, 1H), 4.32 (m, 1H), 4.25 (d, 1H), 3.97 (dd, 1H); 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.86-3.77 (m, 4H), 3.74-3.60 (m, 4H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 3.55-3.48 (m, 4H), 3.38-3.35 (m, 2H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 3.31 (s, 3H), 3.18-3.03 (m, 2H), 2.96 (dd, 1H), 2.73 (d, 1H), 2.57 (d, 1H), 2.21 (s, 3H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 2.17-1.86 (m, 2H), 1.75 (s, 3H), 1.70 (s, 3H), 1.07 (s, 9H), 0.99 (s, 9H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 201.05, 197.78, 160.43, 158.64, 148.81, 147.84, 146.88, 146.70, 140.01, 137.97, 135.99, 135.97, 135.79, 133.64, 133.00, 132.80, 131.33, 131.25, 130.61, 130.41, 130.05, 129.98, 129.91, 129.04, 127.95, 127.91, 127.77, 127.60, 125.98, 125.82, 117.38, 117.26, 113.51, 111.22, 104.50, 104.37, 101.39, 100.55, 98.16, 95.84, 92.51, 73.09, 71.96, 71.94, 71.92, 70.48, 69.67, 69.60, 67.65, 66.99, 64.65, 60.68, 60.23. 60.12, 60.02, 59.35, 59.26, 59.24, 59.22, 59.19, 59.03, 56.81, 56.44, 50.30, 49.99, 49.73, 49.61, 43.24, 36.30, 31.30, 27.10, 19.57, 19.23, 16.03, 16.01, 7.55, 7.27.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₅H₅₃N₃O₉Si: 807.4. Found (M+1)⁺: 808.3.

Example 7

To a solution of intermediate 7 (3.78 g, 4.68 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (30 mL, 0.16 M) was added at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere cesium carbonate (5.35 g, 16.39 mmol) and allyl bromide (2.03 mL, 23.42 mmol). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. for 16 hours, cooled at 0° C. and dropwise added acetic acid to destroy the excess of base. The solution was diluted with dichloromethane and a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate was dropwise added. The aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane, the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of hexane/ethyl acetate in gradient from 100/0 to 2:1) to afford intermediate 8 (3.62 g, 91%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.40 (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.65 (m, 3H), 7.43-7.28 (m, 7H), 6.54 (s, 1H), 5.88 (m, 1H), 5.31-5.10 (m, 2H), 5.24 (s, 1H), 5.19 (s, 1H), 5.12 (d, 1H), 5.02 (d, 1H), 4.47 (d, 1H), 4.34 (dd, 1H), 3.99 (dd, 1H), 3.93-3.86 (m, 2H), 3.81-3.73 (m, 2H), 3.62-3.53 (m, 2H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.41 (m, 1H), 3.37 (s, 3H), 3.23 (m, 1H), 3.08-2.97 (m, 2H), 2.79 (ddd, 2H), 2.39 (d, 1H), 2.24-1.95 (m, 1H), 2.17 (s, 3H), 1.71 (s, 3H), 1.07 (s, 9H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₈H₅₇N₃O₉Si: 847.4. Found (M+1)⁺: 848.2.

Example 8

To a solution of intermediate 8 (942 mg, 1.11 mmol) in anhydrous THF (10 mL, 0.1 M) and under Argon atmosphere was dropwise added TBAF (3.33 mL, 3.33 mmol) at 23° C. The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere for 2 hours and 20 minutes. The solution was diluted with ethyl acetate and a saturated solution of brine was added. The organic phase was separated, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:2 to 2:1) to afford intermediate 9 (461 mg, 68%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.26 (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.66 (s, 1H), 6.60 (s, 1H), 5.88-5.80 (m, 1H), 5.81 (s, 3), 5.80 (s, 3H), 5.20 (d, 2H), 5.12 (d, 1H), 5.07 (d, 1H), 4.12 (m, 1H), 4.07 (m, 1H), 3.91-3.67 (m, 4H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.59-3.49 (m, 4H), 3.41 (broad d, 1H), 3.34 (m, 1H), 3.31 (s, 3H), 3.24 (dt, 1H), 3.09 (dd, 1H), 2.86 (ddd, 2H), 2.53 (d, 2H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 2.05 (d, 2H), 1.75 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 198.81, 159.04, 149.01, 148.23, 140.94, 135.34, 131.42, 130.99, 125.74, 123.58, 117.99, 117.21, 111.06, 104.41, 101.86, 98.52, 71.86, 70.57, 69.43, 62.25, 60.63, 59.22, 59.19, 58.46, 56.68, 56.22, 55.74, 51.89, 36.57, 25.79, 15.98, 7.52.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₂H₃₉N₃O₉: 609.3. Found (M+Na)⁺: 632.3.

Example 9

To a solution of intermediate 9 (1.43 g, 2.34 mmol) and cysteine derivative (1.40 g, 3.51 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (20 mL, 0.12 M), was added at 23° C. EDC.HCl (1.12 g, 5.85 mmol), DMAP (144 mg, 1.17 mmol) and DIPEA (0.24 mL, 1.36 mmol). The reaction mixture was left under Argon atmosphere for 2 hours. A saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate was added and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane, the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:4 to 2:1) to afford intermediate 10 (1.42 g, 61%, some starting material was recuperated) as a yellow solid and as a mixture of 4 isomers.

R_(f): 0.26 (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.70 (d, 8H), 7.66-7.58 (m, 8H), 7.37-7.23 (m, 16H), 6.59 (broad s, 2H), 6.49 (s, 1H), 6.47 (s, 1H), 5.87-5.79 (m, 4H), 5.69, 5.67, 5.65 (broad s, 6H), 5.56 (s, 2H), 5.38-4.97 (m, 20H), 4.61-4.37 (m, 12H), 4.18-3.85 (m, 28H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.77-3.66 (m, 2H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 3.58 (s, 3H), 3.58 (s, 3H), 3.53 (m, 8H), 3.35 (m, 2H), 3.35 (s, 3H), 3.35 (s, 3H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 3.31 (s, 3H), 3.21-2.55 (m, 36H), 2.43-2.30 (m, 4H), 2.17 (s, 6H), 2.12 (s, 3H), 2.10 (s, 3H), 1.74, 1.74, 1.73 (s, 12H), 1.22 (s, 36H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₅₄H₆₂N₄O₁₂S: 990.4. Found (M+1)⁺: 991.2.

Example 10

The reaction flask was flamed twice, purged vacuum/Argon several times and kept under Argon atmosphere for the reaction. To a solution of DMSO (43.0 μL) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (4.0 mL) was dropwise added triflic anhydride (20.3 μL) at −78° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 20 minutes, then a solution of 10 (major isomer) (60 mg, 0.06 mmol) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (2.0 mL) at −78° C. was added via canula. During the addition the temperature was kept at −78° C. in both flasks. The reaction mixture was stirred at −40° C. for 35 minutes. After this time, ^(i)Pr₂Net (160 μL) was dropwise added and the reaction mixture was kept at 0° C. for 45 minutes. Then ^(t)BuOH (57 μL) and guanidine (96 μL) were dropwise added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 40 minutes. After this time, acetic anhydride (86 μL) was dropwise added and the reaction mixture was kept at 23° C. for 1 hour more. Then the reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with an aqueous saturated solution of NH₄Cl, NaHCO₃ and NaCl. The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated.

The residue was purified by a flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:4 to 1:1) to afford 11 (34 mg, 67%) as a pale yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.43 (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.79 (s, 1H), 6.08 (d, 1H), 5.98 (d, 1H), 5.92-5.82 (m, 1H), 5.32 (d, 1H), 5.18 (m, 1H), 5.17 (d, 1H), 5.12 (d, 1H), 5.01 (d, 1H), 4.62 (d, 1H), 4.52 (broad s, 1H), 4.41 (d, 1H), 4.28 (m, 2H), 4.20 (d, 1H), 4.14 (dd, 1H), 3.91 (oct, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.59 (t, 2H), 3.54 (m, 1H), 3.44 (d, 1H), 3.37 (s, 3H), 3.00 (m, 2H), 2.90-2.72 (m, 3H), 2.37-2.24 (m, 1H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.02 (s, 3H), 1.45 (s, 9H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 170.89, 168.86, 155.36, 149.40, 148.60, 145.97, 141.19, 140.64, 135.47, 131.65, 131.15, 125.54, 125.24, 120.68, 118.18, 118.09, 113.78, 113.54, 102.21, 98.33, 79.95, 71.93, 69.35, 61.60, 60.60, 60.44, 59.93, 59.39, 59.30, 55.90, 54.14, 54.03, 51.18, 41.95, 33.06, 28.72, 28.45, 23.93, 20.59, 16.11, 14.42, 9.83.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₂H₅₂N₄O₁₂S: 836.3. Found (M+1)⁺: 837.1

Example 11

To a solution of intermediate 11 (29 mg, 0.035 mmol) in CHCl₃ (1 mL, 0.03 M) was added at 23° C. p-TsOH (40 mg, 0.21 mmol). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere for 15 hours. The reaction was diluted with dichloromethane and a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate was added. The aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane, the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:4 to 2:1 and final washes with methanol) to afford intermediate 12 (16 mg, 71%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.07 (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.52 (s, 1H), 6.07 (d, 1H), 5.98 (d, 1H), 5.85 (m, 1H), 5.13-5.06 (m, 2H), 5.01 (d, 1H), 4.52 (broad s, 1H), 4.33 (d, 1H), 4.26 (s, 1H), 4.19 (d, 1H), 4.12 (m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.53 (broad d, 1H), 3.40 (d, 1H), 3.28 (m, 1H), 2.95-2.75 (m, 4H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.21 (broad s, 2H), 2.03 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 174.59, 168.91, 147.85, 145.86, 143.10, 141.22, 140.56, 135.21, 131.27, 129.53, 121.11, 120.72, 118.93, 118.30, 114.01, 113.54, 102.15, 61.55, 60.44, 60.30, 59.73, 59.53, 56.09, 54.22, 53.31, 52.07, 41.95, 34.58, 24.23, 20.82, 15.89, 9.86.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₃H₃₆N₄O₈S: 648.2. Found (M+1)⁺: 649.1

Example 12

To a solution of the pyridinium salt (211 mg, 0.85 mmol) in DMF (2.3 mL) was added at 23° C. a solution of intermediate 12 (55 mg, 0.085 mmol) in dichloromethane (2.9 mL, 0.016 M final concentration). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere for 4 hours and 15 minutes, then DBU (13 μL, 0.085 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere for 15 minutes. After this time a saturated solution of oxalic acid (2 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture was left at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was cooled at 0° C., was diluted with Et₂O and a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate was added until to reach pH=5. The aqueous phase was extracted with Et₂O (×4), further basified with more sodium bicarbonate and extracted with more Et₂O (×4). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:2 to 2:1) to afford intermediate 13 (28 mg, 51%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.66 (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.49 (s, 1H), 6.11 (d, 1H), 6.01 (d, 1H), 5.88-5.77 (m, 1H), 5.70 (s, 1H), 5.09 (m, 3H), 4.66 (broad s, 1H), 4.40 (s, 1H), 4.36 (d, 1H), 4.20 (dd, 1H), 4.17 (d, 1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.55 (m, 2H), 2.88-2.67 (m, 5H), 2.56 (d, 1H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₃H₃₃N₃O₉S: 647.1. Found (M+1)⁺: 648.1

Example 13

To a solution of intermediate 13 (26 mg, 0.04 mmol) and dopamine derivative (24 mg, 0.14 mmol) in EtOH (0.7 mL, 0.06 M) was added at 23° C. silica gel (56 mg). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere for 15 hours. The solvent of the reaction was eliminated under reduced pressure and the crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:1 to 4:1) to afford intermediate 14 (30 mg, 94%) as a pale yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.37 (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.60 (s, 1H), 6.46 (s, 1H), 6.44 (s, 1H), 6.04 (d, 1H), 5.96 (d, 1H), 5.94-5.80 (m, 1H), 5.73 (s, 1H), 5.48 (broad s, 1H), 5.11 (m, 2H), 5.02 (d, 1H), 4.57 (broad s, 1H), 4.36 (d, 1H), 4.33 (s, 1H), 4.19 (d, 1H), 4.11 (dd, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.55 (m, 1H), 3.50 (d, 1H9, 3.09 (m, 1H), 2.99-2.74 (m, 5H), 2.59 (m, 1H), 2.47 (dt, 1H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.23-2.13 (m, 2H), 2.04 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₂H₄₄N₄O₁₀S: 796.3. Found (M+1)⁺: 797.2

Example 14

To a solution of intermediate 14 (30 mg, 0.038 mmol), (PPh₃)₂PdCl₂ (3 mg, 0.003 mmol), acetic acid (11 μL, 0.188 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (1 mL, 0.04 M) was dropwise added at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere HSnBu₃ (36 μL, 0.13 mmol). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere for 20 minutes. After this time the reaction mixture was poured onto column (eluent mixtures of dichloromethane/methanol in gradient from 100/0 to 30:1 to afford intermediate 15 (12 mg, 42%) as a pale yellow solid. Some starting material (17 mg) was isolated impurified with traces of butyltinderivatives.

R_(f): 0.22 (dichloromethane/methanol 20:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.62 (s, 1H), 6.47 (s, 1H), 6.44 (s, 1H), 6.06 (d, 1H), 5.98 (d, 1H), 5.03 (d, 1H), 4.57 (broad s, 1H), 4.50 (d, 1H), 4.34 (s, 1H), 4.20 (d, 1H), 4.15 (dd, 1H), 3.85 (d, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.52 (d, 1H), 3.15-2.95 (m, 3H), 2.77 (m, 1H), 2.60 (m, 1H), 2.46 (dt, 1H), 2.35 (d, 1H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.15 (d, 1H), 2.04 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 172.84, 172.12, 145.98, 145.60, 144.77, 144.53, 142.98, 141.59, 140.36, 131.49, 129.81, 129.36, 125.84, 124.60, 121.57, 121.32, 118.34, 114.33, 114.17, 109.99, 102.10, 64.79, 61.46, 60.66, 60.17, 59.25, 59.01, 55.40, 48.84, 47.86, 42.13, 39.87, 29.00, 28.33, 20.67, 16.01, 9.97.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₉H₄₀N₄O₁₀S: 756.2. Found (M+1)⁺: 757.3.

Example 15

To a solution of intermediate 15 (12 mg, 0.016 mmol) in acetonitrile (0.66 mL) was added at 23° C. water (0.44 mL, 0.015 M, final concentration) and AgNO₃ (81 mg, 0.47 mmol). The reaction mixture was left under Argon atmosphere at 23° C. for 23 hours. The reaction was diluted with dichloromethane and a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate and a saturated solution of sodium chloride was added. The aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane and the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude Et-729 was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent dichloromethane/methanol in gradient from 100/0 to 3:1) to afford the final product (8.3 mg, 70%) as a white solid.

R_(f): 0.07 (dichloromethane/methanol 95:5)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 6.59 (s, 1H), 6.44 (s, 1H), 6.40 (s, 1H), 6.13 (s, 1H), 6.02 (s, 1H), 5.20 (d, 1H), 4.73 (s, 1H), 4.58 (d, 2H), 4.26 (d, 1H), 4.13 (dd, 1H), 3.80 (broad d, 1H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.67 (d, 1H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 3.22-3.02 (m, 3H), 2.78 (m, 1H), 2.59 (m, 1H), 2.42 (m, 2H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.05 (m, 1H), 2.04 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 173.52, 170.26, 148.13, 147.01, 146.92, 146.86, 145.04, 142.67, 141.95, 132.04, 129.28, 125.79, 122.77, 122.42, 121.40, 116.29, 115.89, 111.63, 103.54, 90.94, 65.53, 61.80, 60.38, 58.23, 57.23, 55.76, 47.35, 43.15, 40.70, 28.85, 27.79, 20.49, 16.07, 9.38.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₈H₄₁N₃O₁₁S: 747.2. Found (M+1)⁺: 748.1

Example 16

To a solution of compound 16 (0.5 g, 0.80 mmol), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-phenethyl amine (924 mg, 2.8 mmol) in ethyl alcohol was added at 23° C. silica gel (1 g). The reaction mixture was stirred at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere for 16 hours. After this time the solvent is eliminated under reduced pressure and the crude of the reaction is purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/methylene chloride in gradient from 1:2 to 100% in ethyl acetate, final washes in methylene chloride/methyl alcohol 9:1) to afford Et-770 (564 mg, 91%) as a pale yellow solid.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 6.60 (s, 1H), 6.47 (s, 1H), 6.45 (s, 1H), 6.05 (s, 1H), 5.98 (s, 1H), 5.02 (d, 1H), 4.57 (bs, 1H), 4.32 (bs, 1H), 4.28 (d, 1H), 4.18 (d, 1H), 4.12 (dd, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.50 (d, 1H), 3.42 (m, 1H), 3.10 (ddd, 1H), 2.94 (m, 2H), 2.79 (m, 1H), 2.61 (m, 1H), 2.47 (m, 1H), 2.35 (m, 1H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.09 (m, 1H), 2.04 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₄₂N₄O₁₀S: 770.7. Found (M+H)⁺: 771.2

Example 17

To a solution of Et-770 (45 mg, 0.058 mmol.) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL, 0.03 M) was added at 0° C. under Argon atmosphere m-CPBA (15.1 mg, 0.087 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutes, then a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate was added, then aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, the organic layers dried over sodium sulphate and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane 3:1) to afford compound 17 (45.6 mg, 99%).

R_(f): 0.18 (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.63 (s, 1H); 6.51 (s, 1H); 6.47 (s, 1H); 6.19 (s, 1H); 6.05 (s, 1H); 6.00 (s, 1H); 4.66 (d, 1H); 4.61 (d, 1H); 4.30-4.28 (m, 1H); 4.19 (s, 1H); 4.07 (s, 1H); 3.82 (s, 1H); 3.73 (d, 1H); 3.65 (d, 1H); 3.60 (s, 3H); 3.43 (d, 1H); 3.04-2.95 (m, 2H); 2.88-2.81 (m, 1H); 2.72-2.55 (m, 3H); 2.48-2.41 (m, 1H); 2.30 (s, 3H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.23 (s, 3H); 2.05 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 172.0, 169.2, 148.2, 146.8, 146.3, 145.1, 144.8, 142.3, 140.8, 130.8, 129.6, 129.5, 124.5, 122.6, 120.2, 120.0, 117.8, 114.6, 111.8, 109.5, 102.4, 70.9, 67.8, 61.8, 61.7, 60.9, 60.6, 60.0, 55.3, 54.9, 54.7, 41.9, 40.0, 29.9, 29.1, 25.0, 21.0, 16.2, 10.3

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₄₂N₄O₁₁S: 786.2. Found (M+Na)⁺: 809.3.

Example 18

To a solution of compound 17 (45 mg, 0.057 mmol) in CH₃CN/H₂O (6 mL/2 mL, 0.007 M) was added at 23° C. AgNO₃ (287.1 mg, 1.71 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred under Argon atmosphere and protected from the light for 24 hours. The reaction was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate and an aqueous saturated solution of brine 1:1. The aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, the organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography to afford Et-759B (23.2 mg, 52%) as a pale yellow solid and some starting material (18.7 mg, 42%) was recuperated.

R_(f): 0.36 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 8:0.5)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.65 (s, 1H); 6.48 (s, 1H); 6.43 (s, 1H); 6.20 (s, 1H); 6.04 (d, 1H); 5.97 (s, 1H); 4.78 (s, 1H); 4.70 (d, 1H); 4.55 (d, 1H); 4.36 (d, 1H); 4.07-3.98 (m, 1H); 3.83 (s, 3H); 3.77 (d, 1H); 3.69-3.63 (m, 1H); 3.61 (s, 3H); 3.46 (d, 1H); 3.22 (d, 1H); 3.06-2.82 (m, 4H); 2.66-2.43 (m, 4H); 2.31 (s, 3H); 2.26 (s, 3H); 2.21 (s, 3H); 2.04 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 171.9, 169.3, 148.0, 146.9, 145.0, 144.7, 142.2, 141.0, 130.7, 130.1, 129.6, 124.9, 123.0, 120.9, 120.1, 114.6, 113.7, 109.5, 102.2, 82.9, 67.9, 63.1, 61.8, 60.5, 57.7, 57.6, 55.9, 55.3, 55.1, 41.7, 40.0, 29.9, 29.2, 24.7, 21.0, 16.1, 14.3, 10.2.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₉H₄₃N₃O₁₂S: 777.84. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 760.2

Example 19

To a solution of compound 16 (100 mg, 0.16 mmol) in THF/H₂O (4.26 mL/1.06 mL, 0.03 M) was added at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere CuCl (79.5 mg, 0.80 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere and protected from the light for 24 hours. The reaction was diluted with CH₂Cl₂, quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of ammonium chloride. The aqueous phase was separated and the organic phase was washed with an aqueous saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate. The aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, the organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 60:1) to afford Et-594 (70 mg, 71%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.44 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 60:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.53 (s, 1H); 6.49 (s, 1H); 6.07 (s, 1H); 6.05 (s, 1H); 5.98 (s, 1H); 5.94 (s, 1H); 5.71 (s, 2H); 5.18 (d, 1H); 5.12 (d, 1H); 4.85 (s, 1H); 4.77 (s, 1H) 4.55-4.36 (m, 3H); 4.17-4.11 (m, 4H); 3.77 (s, 3H); 3.75 (s, 3H); 3.58 (d, 1H); 3.47 (s, 4H); 3.19 (s, 2H); 3.07 (s, 3H); 2.87-2.54 (m, 6H); 2.31 (s, 3H); 2.30 (s, 3H); 2.28 (s, 3H); 2.23 (s, 3H); 2.18-2.05 (m, 2H); 2.15 (s, 3H); 2.11 (s, 3H); 2.05 (s, 3H); 1.98 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₀H₃₂N₂O₁₀S: 612.1. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 595.5

Example 20

To a solution of Et-770 (1.25 g, 1.62 mmol) in CH₃CN/H₂O (64.8 mL/43.2 mL, 0.015 M) was added at 23° C. AgNO₃ (8.27 g, 1.71 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred under Argon atmosphere and protected from the light for 24 hours. The reaction was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate and an aqueous saturated solution of brine 1:1. The aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, the organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (CHCl₃/EtOAc/MeOH in gradient from 49:49:2 to 48:40:12) to afford Et-743 (1.09 g, 88%) as a yellow solid and some starting material (75 mg, 6%) was recuperated.

R_(f): 0.2 (CHCl₃/EtOAc/MeOH 49:49:2)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ6.60 (s, 1H), 6.46 (s, 1H), 6.44 (s, 1H), 6.02 (d, 1H), 5.94 (broad d, 1H), 5.13 (d, 1H), 4.81 (broad s, 1H), 4.50 (broad s, 1H), 4.49 (broad s, 1H), 4.16 (dd, 1H), 4.04 (dd, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.57 (broad d, 1H), 3.22 (broad, d, 1H), 3.12 (ddd, 1H), 2.87 (broad s, 1H), 2.85 (broad s, 1H), 2.80 (m, 1H), 2.60 (ddd, 1H), 2.47 (ddd, 1H), 2.38 (broad s, 1H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.18 (m, 1H), 2.17 (s, 3H), 2.03 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 172.6, 168.3, 147.7, 145.1, 144.4, 143.0, 141.3, 140.5, 131.5, 129.2, 126.1, 121.9, 120.9, 118.0, 116.0, 114.0, 112.5, 109.8, 101.6, 82.1, 64.7, 61.3, 60.3, 57.8, 56.0, 55.1, 54.9, 42.2, 41.4, 39.7, 28.8, 24.0, 20.4, 15.8, 9.6.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₉H₄₃N₃O₁₁S: 761.3. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 744.4

Example 21

To a solution of Et-743 (25 mg, 0.03 mmol) in methyl alcohol (1.5 mL, 0.02 M) was added at 23° C. formic acid (11 μL, 0.3 mmol). The solution was stirred at 23° C. for 6 hours, then the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure and the crude was purified by flash column chromatography (CHCl₃/EtOAc/MeOH 49:49:2) to afford Et-745 (15.8 mg, 64%).

R_(f): 0.17 (CHCl₃/EtOAc/MeOH 49:49:2)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.61 (s, 1H), 6.49 (s, 1H), 6.42 (s, 1H), 6.00 (d, 1H), 5.95 (d, 1H), 5.10 (d, 1H), 4.50 (broad s, 1H), 4.38 (d, 1H), 4.09 (dd, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 3.38-3.21 (m, 3H), 3.17-2.81 (m, 5H), 2.71 (m, 1H), 2.52 (m, 2H), 2.41 (d, 1H), 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.12 (m, 1H), 2.02 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 172.43, 168.19, 147.72, 144.79, 144.60, 144.50, 142.64, 141.03, 139.77, 131.61, 128.61, 126.07, 122.09, 120.50, 118.51, 115.41, 114.50, 112.63, 109.94, 101.41, 64.26, 64.06, 62.21, 60.83, 60.01, 55.00, 42.39, 41.76, 40.78, 39.29, 31.39, 29.50, 28.53, 25.45, 22.45, 20.30, 15.62, 13.92, 9.48.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₉H₄₃N₃O₁₀S: 745.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 746.2

Example 22

To a solution of compound 18 (520.8 mg, 0.84 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (17 mL, 0.05M) under Argon at room temperature, was added acetic anhydride (0.08 mL, 0.88 mmol). The reaction was stirred for 30 min and then quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/EtOAc, 1:2, 2:5, 1:3,) gives pure compound 19 (96%).

R_(f): 0.2 (Hexane/ethyl acetate 2:3)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.56 (s, 1H), 6.04 (dd, 2H), 5.78 (s, 1H), 5.52 (bd, 1H), 5.02 (d, 1H), 4.58 (ddd, 1H), 4.53 (bs, 1H), 4.27-4.25 (m, 2H), 4.19-4.15 (m, 2H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.44-3.43 (m, 2H), 2.92-2.90 (m, 2H), 2.36-2.02 (m, 2H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.16 (s, 3H), 2.02 (s, 3H), 1.88 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 170.5, 168.8, 168.4, 148.1, 145.8, 143.1, 141.0, 140.3, 130.7, 129.9, 129.0, 120.3, 119.0, 117.9, 113.5, 102.0, 61.3, 60.3, 60.2, 59.3, 58.9, 54.7, 54.5, 51.9, 41.8, 41.4, 32.4, 23.7, 22.8, 20.4, 16.0, 9.5.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₃H₃₆N₄O₉S: 664.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 665.2

Example 23

To a solution of compound 19 (100 mg, 0.15 mmol) in acetone (15 mL, 0.01M) was added a solution of Fremy's salt (141 mg, 0.52 mmol) in a buffer solution of KH₂PO₄/Na₂HPO₄ (15 mL, 0.035M). After 24 h at 23° C. the reaction mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:2) gives pure compound 20 (101 mg, 99%).

R_(f): 0.38 (Hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.10 (d, 1H); 6.01 (d, 1H); 5.68 (d, 1H); 4.98 (d, 1H); 4.54-4.50 (m, 1H); 4.43 (s, 1H); 4.21 (s, 1H); 4.15-4.07 (m, 3H); 4.09 (s, 3H); 3.47 (s, 1H); 3.42 (d, 1H); 2.88-2.78 (m, 2H); 2.47 (d, 1H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.22-2.18 (m, 1H); 2.18 (s, 3H); 2.02 (s, 3H); 2.01 (s, 3H); 1.87 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₃H₃₄N₄O₁₀S: 678.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 679.1

Example 24

To a solution of compound 20 (100 mg, 0.14 mmol) in THF/H₂O 4:1 (5.6 mg, 0.009M) was added CuCl (145 mg, 1.47 mmol). After 24 h at 23° C. the reaction was quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of NH₄Cl, and washed with brine and an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃, diluted and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 32:1) gives pure compound ET-637-quinone (60 mg, 61%).

R_(f): 0.54 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 32:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.07 (d, 1H); 5.97 (d, 1H); 5.72 (d, 1H); 5.08 (d, 1H); 4.71 (s, 1H); 4.52-4.33 (m, 3H); 4.08 (s, 3H); 4.08-4.01 (m, 3H); 3.53 (d, 1H); 3.24 (d, 1H); 2.83-2.69 (m, 2H); 2.46-2.33 (m, 1H); 2.24 (s, 3H); 2.16 (s, 3H); 2.02 (s, 3H); 2.00 (s, 3H); 1.87 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 175.5, 162.6, 162.2, 150.0, 138.9, 134.2, 133.7, 130.9, 129.9, 119.9, 111.7, 107.5, 94.9, 75.2, 55.3, 53.6, 50.4, 48.6, 46.0, 45.8, 34.1, 33.6, 26.8, 22.6, 15.9, 13.4, 12.7

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₂H₃₅N₃O₁₁S: 669.2. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 652.1

Example 25

To a solution of compound 16 (100 mg, 0.16 mmol) in acetona (16 mL, 0.01M) was added a solution of Fremy's salt (151 mg, 0.56 mmol) in a buffer solution of KH₂PO₄/Na₂HPO₄ (16 mL, 0.035M). After 24 h at 23° C. the reaction mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) gives pure compound 21 (79 mg, 78%).

R_(f): 0.3 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.12 (d, 1H); 6.03 (d, 1H); 5.05 (d, 1H); 4.48 (s, 1H); 4.28 (d, 1H); 4.24 (s, 1H); 4.20-4.16 (m, 1H); 4.05-4.00 (m, 1H); 3.98 (s, 3H); 3.59 (t, 1H); 3.38 (d, 1H); 3.35 (d, 1H); 2.84-2.64 (m, 2H); 2.40-2.27 (m, 1H); 3.30 (s, 3H); 2.18 (s, 3H); 2.03 (s, 3H); 2.02 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₁H₂₉N₃O₁₀S: 635.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 636.1

Example 26

To a solution of compound 21 (79 mg, 0.12 mmol) in THF/H₂O 4:1 (4.4 mL, 0.009M) was added CuCl (123 mg, 1.24 mmol). After 24 h at 23° C. the reaction was quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of NH₄Cl, and washed with brine and an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃, diluted and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 32:1) gives pure compound Et-594-quinone (45 mg, 59%).

R_(f): 0.6 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 32:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.10-5.97 (m, 4H); 5.12 (d, 1H); 5.05 (d, 1H); 4.74-4.63 (m, 2H); 4.43-4.26 (m, 2H); 4.22-4.11 (m, 2H); 4.06 (s, 6H); 4.05-3.91 (m, 2H); 3.82-3.71 (m, 2H); 3.55-3.20 (m, 2H); 3.03 (s, 4H); 2.75-2.62 (m, 2H); 2.56-2.42 (m, 2H); 2.35-2.23 (m, 2H); 2.29 (s, 3H); 2.27 (s, 3H); 2.18 (s, 3H); 2.17 (s, 3H); 2.03 (s, 3H); 2.02 (s, 3H); 2.00 (s, 3H); 1.98 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 187.6, 187.2, 186.3, 186.1, 170.0, 169.3, 158.5, 158.4, 156.5, 146.6, 146.6, 142.0, 141.9, 140.9, 140.7, 137.4, 137.1, 136.7, 129.7, 129.4, 118.6, 117.9, 117.7, 115.1, 114.9, 102.5, 102.4, 92.4, 83.0, 82.7, 65.3, 64.6, 60.7, 60.6, 58.8, 58.5, 58.1, 57.5, 57.4, 56.0, 55.8, 55.1, 53.7, 53.3, 53.1, 52.6, 42.6, 42.4, 40.9, 40.8, 35.5, 35.2, 29.9, 20.9, 20.8, 20.2, 9.9, 9.8

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₀H₃₀N₂O₁₁S: 626.2. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 609.1

Example 27

To a solution of compound 16 (75 mg, 0.12 mmol) in acetic acid (1.5 mL, 0.08 M) under Argon at 23° C. was added tryptamine (68 mg, 0.42 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 24 h and then the acetic acid was evaporated. An aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃ was added and the mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) gives pure compound 22 (90 mg, 99%).

R_(f): 0.4 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H); 7.38 (d, 1H); 7.25 (d, 1H); 7.08 (t, 1H); 7.00 (t, 1H); 6.66 (s, 1H); 6.22 (d, 1H); 6.02 (d, 1H); 5.79 (s, 1H); 5.08 (d, 1H); 4.55 (s, 1H); 4.32 (s, 1H); 4.27 (d, 1H); 4.21 (s, 1H); 4.19 (d, 1H); 3.81 (s, 3H); 3.44-3.40 (m, 2H); 3.18-2.78 (m, 4H); 2.71-2.51 (m, 3H); 2.37 (s, 3H); 2.26 (s, 3H); 2.21 (s, 3H); 2.06 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 171.7, 168.9, 148.2, 145.9, 143.2, 141.3, 140.5, 135.7, 130.8, 130.6, 129.5, 127.0, 122.2, 120.9, 120.8, 119.5, 118.6, 118.4, 113.8, 111.1, 110.5, 102.2, 62.5, 61.5, 60.8, 60.5, 59.7, 55.9, 54.8, 42.1, 41.7, 40.0, 39.5, 29.9, 24.0, 21.7, 20.8, 16.1, 9.9.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₁H₄₁N₅O₈S: 763.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 764.2

Example 28

To a solution of compound 22 (100 mg, 0.13 mmol) in acetone (13 mL, 0.01M) was added a solution of Fremy's salt (122 mg, 0.45 mmol) in a buffer solution of KH₂PO₄/Na₂HPO₄ (13 mL, 0.035M). After 24 h at 23° C. the reaction mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) gives pure compound 23 (85 mg, 85%)

R_(f): 0.4 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.76 (s, 1H); 7.39 (d, 1H); 7.24 (d, 1H); 7.09 (ddd, 1H); 7.01 (ddd, 1H); 6.22 (d, 1H); 6.02 (d, 1H); 4.98 (d, 1H); 4.44 (s, 1H); 4.22 (s, 1H); 4.19-4.18 (m, 1H) 3.13 (d, 1H); 4.11 (s, 3H); 4.04 (d, 1H); 3.48 (s, 1H); 3.39 (d, 1H); 3.16-3.09 (m, 1H); 2.88-2.78 (m, 2H); 2.70-2.47 (m, 5H); 2.23 (s, 3H); 2.21 (s, .3H); 2.08 (s, 3H); 2.05 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₁H₃₉N₅O₉S: 777.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 778.2

Example 29

To a solution of compound 23 (85 mg, 0.10 mmol) in CH₃CN/H₂O 3:2 (5.8 mL, 0.009M) was added AgNO₃ (549 mg, 3.27 mmol). After 24 h at 23° C. the reaction was quenched with a mixture 1:1 of an aqueous saturated solution of brine and NaHCO₃, stirred for 10 min and diluted and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 32:1) gives pure compound ET-736-quinone (40 mg, 50%)

R_(f): 0.6 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 32:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.71 (s, 1H); 7.39 (d, 1H); 7.26 (d, 1H); 7.10 (ddd, 1H); 7.01 (ddd, 1H); 6.22 (d, 1H); 6.01 (d, 1H); 5.12 (d, 1H); 4.76 (s, 1H); 4.42-4.37 (m, 2H); 4.11-4.04 (m, 2H) 4.10 (s, 3H); 3.56 (s, 1H); 3.35-3.11 (m, 2H); 2.85-2.65 (m, 3H); 2.60-2.36 (m, 4H); 2.23 (s, 3H); 2.19 (s, .3H); 2.09 (s, 3H); 2.05 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 186.6, 182.8, 170.9, 169.0, 157.1, 146.1, 141.7, 140.9, 137.5, 136.9, 135.7, 130.6, 128.2, 127.0, 122.4, 119.2, 119.4, 118.7, 115.3, 111.2, 82.7, 62.9, 62.8, 60.9, 58.6, 57.7, 55.9, 53.3, 41.5, 41.1, 40.9, 40.3, 29.9, 22.0, 20.8, 20.0, 14.4, 9.9, 9.1

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₄₀N₄O₁₀S: 768.3. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 751.2

Example 30

To a solution of compound 12 (99.1 mg, 0.15 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL, 0.05M) under Argon at 23° C., was added acetic anhydride (0.015 mL, 0.16 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 45 min and then quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/EtOAc, in gradient from 3:2 to 1:2) gives pure compound 24 (97 mg, 91%).

R_(f): 0.3 (hexane/ethyl acetate 3:2)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.54 (s, 1H), 6.02 (d, 2H), 5.96 (s, 1H), 5.89-5.76 (m, 1H), 5.52 (d, 1H), 5.11-4.99 (m, 3H), 4.58-4.55 (m, 1H), 4.52 (m, 1H), 4.33 (d, 1H), 4.26 (s, 1H), 4.18 (s, 1H), 4.16 (d, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.54 (bd, 1H), 3.41 (d, 1H), 2.94-2.71 (m, 4H), 2.30-2.25 (m, 1H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.10 (d, 1H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 1.87 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 170.5, 168.8, 168.4, 147.8, 145.7, 143.0, 140.9, 140.3, 134.8, 131.1, 129.0, 120.3, 120.1, 119.4, 118.1, 117.8, 113.4, 113.3, 101.9, 61.2, 60.3, 60.2, 59.4, 59.1, 55.7, 53.0, 51.8, 51.7, 41.7, 32.4, 23.8, 22.8, 20.4, 16.0, 9.5.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₅H₃₈N₄O₉S: 690.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 691.5

Example 31

To a solution of compound 12 (130 mg, 0.20 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL, 0.03M) under Argon atmosphere was added trifluoroacetic anhydride (0.057 mL, 0.40 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at 23° C., then diluted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃ and the organic phase dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/EtOAc, 3:2) gives pure compound 25 (104 mg, 73%).

R_(f): 0.68 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.41 (d, 1H), 6.09 (d, 1H), 5.99 (d, 1H); 5.90-5.77 (m, 1H); 5.72 (s, 1H), 5.12-5.03 (m, 3H), 4.60 (bp, 1H), 4.54-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.34 (dd, 1H), 4.33 (s, 1H); 4.21 (dd, 1H), 4.19 (d, 1H); 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.57-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.44 (d, 1H); 2.87-2.71 (m, 4H), 2.43-2.38 (m, 1H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.11-2.04 (m, 1H); 2.02 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₅H₃₅F₃N₄O₉S: 744.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 745.5

Example 32

To a solution of compound 12 (60 mg, 0.09 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (3.2 mL, 0.03M) under Argon atmosphere were added pyridine (0.008 mL, 0.09 mmol) and palmitoyl chloride (0.03 mL, 0.09 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at 23° C., then diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/EtOAc, 3:2) gives pure compound 26 (71 mg, 90%).

R_(f): 0.62 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.08 (d, 1H), 5.98 (d, 1H), 5.89-5.77 (m, 1H); 5.75 (s, 1H); 5.47 (d, 1H), 5.11 (d, 1H); 5.07 (d, 1H); 5.02 (d, 1H), 4.62-4.58 (m, 1H), 4.53 (s, 1H), 4.34 (d, 1H), 4.28 (s, 1H), 4.19 (d, 1H); 4.17 (dd, 1H); 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.55 (d, 1H), 3.43 (d, 1H); 2.96-2.72 (m, 4H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.14-1.98 (m, 1H); 2.02 (s, 3H), 1.62-1.56 (m, 2H), 1.32-1.28 (m, 24H), 0.87 (t, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₉H₆₆N₄O₉S: 886.5. Found (M+H)⁺: 887.9

Example 33

To a solution of compound 12 (65 mg, 0.1 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1.6 mL, 0.06M) under Argon atmosphere were added pyridine (0.009 mL, 0.11 mmol) and propionyl chloride (0.009 mL, 0.11 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min at 23° C. then diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/EtOAc in gradient from 1:1 to 1:2) gives pure compound 27 (41 mg, 59%).

R_(f): 0.66 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:4)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.08 (d, 1H), 5.98 (d, 1H); 5.90-5.77 (m, 1H); 5.51 (d, 1H), 5.12 (d, 2H), 5.03 (d, 2H), 4.61-4.54 (m, 2H), 4.36 (d, 1H), 4.29 (s, 1H), 4.16 (dd, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.55 (d, 1H), 3.43 (d, 1H), 2.89-2.76 (m, 5H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.15-2.04 (m, 2H), 2.02 (s, 3H), 1.10 (t, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₆H₄₀N₄O₉S: 704.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 705.6

Example 34

To a solution of compound 12 (64 mg, 0.1 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL, 0.05M) under Argon atmosphere were added coumarine acid (23 mg, 0.13 mmol), DIPEA (0.05 mL, 0.15 mmol) and EDC.HCl (60 mg, 0.15 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred under Argon atmosphere at 23° C. for 4 hours, then diluted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/EtOAc, 1:1) gives pure compound 28 (40 mg, 49%).

R_(f): 0.5 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:2)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.98 (d, 1H), 7.69-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.44 (7.33 (m, 2H), 6.65 (s, 1H), 6.10 (s, 1H), 5.99 (s, 1H), 5.89-5.80 (m, 1H), 5.60 (d, 1H), 5.11-5.05 (m, 4H), 4.69 (dd, 1H), 4.59 (bs, 1H), 4.35-416 (m, 5H), 3.67 (3H), 3.58 (d, 1H), 3.45 (d, 2H), 2.93-2.62 (m, 5H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.13 (s, 3H), 2.03 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₃H₄₀N₄O₁₁S: 820.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 821.8

Example 35

To a solution of compound 25 (40 mg, 0.05 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1.5 mL, 0.03M) under Argon atmosphere were added Et₃N (0.035 mL, 0.24 mmol) and cinnamoyl chloride (27.7 mg, 0.016 mmol). After 30 min at 23° C., the reaction was diluted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃ and the organic phase dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/EtOAc, 3:2) gives pure compound 29 (46 mg, 99%).

R_(f): 0.5 (hexane/ethyl acetate 2:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.93 (d, 1H); 7.62-7.59 (m, 2H); 7.46-7.44 (m, 3H); 6.91 (s, 1H), 6.63 (d, 1H); 6.44 (d, 1H), 6.11 (d, 1H), 6.01 (d, 1H); 5.84-5.71 (m, 1H); 5.19-5.05 (m, 3H), 4.59-4.53 (m, 1H), 4.35 (s, 1H), 4.25-4.21 (m, 2H); 4.00 (d, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.64-3.62 (m, 1H), 3.49 (d, 1H); 2.95-2.88 (m, 3H), 2.77-2.70 (m, 1H); 2.52-2.48 (m, 1H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.14-2.04 (m, 1H); 2.06 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₄H₄₁F₃N₄O₁₀S: 874.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 875.6

General Experimental Procedure for the Synthesis of Compounds 30, 32, 32, 33 and 34: Deallylation Reaction

To a solution of starting material in CH₂Cl₂ (0.04M) were added (PPh₃)₂PdCl₂ (0.08 equiv) and acetic acid (5 equiv). HSnBu₃ (initial amount 8 equiv) was dropwise added at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere Additional HSnBu₃ (final amount 48 equiv) was dropwise added during the reaction time (1 hour to 1 hour and 45 min). After this time, the solution was poured onto a column. Flash chromatography (mixtures hexane/ethyl acetate) gives pure compounds.

Example 36

R_(f): 0.3 (hexane/ethyl acetate 2:5)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.57 (s, 1H), 6.04 (d, 2H), 5.51 (d, 1H), 5.03 (d, 1H), 4.60-4.57 (m, 1H), 4.52 (bp, 1H), 4.47 (d, 1H), 4.27 (s, 1H), 4.19-4.15 (m, 2H), 3.84 (bd, 1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.43 (d, 1H), 3.07 (s, 1H), 2.96 (q, 1H), 2.34-2.27 (m, 1H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.13 (d, 1H), 2.02 (s, 3H), 1.87 (s, 3H)

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₂H₃₄N₄O₉S: 650.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 651.4

Example 37

R_(f): 0.3 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.54 (s, 1H), 6.40 (d, 1H), 6.10 (d, 1H), 6.00 (d, 1H); 5.05 (d, 1H), 4.60 (bp, 1H), 4.54-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.48 (d, 1H), 4.32 (s, 1H); 4.22 (dd, 1H), 4.19 (d, 1H); 3.86-3.84 (m, 1H); 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.46 (d, 1H); 2.99-2.98 (m, 2H), 2.44-2.39 (m, 1H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.13-2.08 (m, 1H); 2.03 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₂H₃₁F₃N₄O₉S: 704.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 705.6

Example 38

R_(f): 0.4 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.57 (s, 1H), 6.09 (d, 1H), 5.99 (d, 1H), 5.78 (s, 1H); 5.47 (d, 1H), 5.03 (d, 1H); 4.62-4.60 (m, 1H), 4.53 (s, 1H), 4.47 (d, 1H), 4.28 (s, 1H), 4.19 (d, 1H); 4.17 (dd, 1H); 3.85 (d, 1H); 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.44 (d, 1H); 3.11-2.91 (m, 2H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.16-1.96 (m, 3H); 2.02 (s, 3H), 1.62-1.56 (m, 2H), 1.38-1.28 (m, 24H), 0.87 (t, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₆H₆₂N₄O₉S: 846.4. Found (M+H)⁺: 847.0

Example 39

R_(f): 0.2 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.57 (s, 1H), 6.01 (s, 1H), 5.74 (d, 1H), 5.52 (d, 1H), 5.10-4.83 (m, 2H), 4.61-4.54 (m, 1H), 4.48 (d, 1H), 4.34-4.15 (m, 4H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.59-3.34 (m, 3H), 3.10-2.89 (m, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.12 (dd, 2H), 2.03 (s, 3H), 1.10 (t, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₃H₃₆N₄O₉S: 664.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 665.6

Example 40

R_(f): 0.4 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.93 (d, 1H); 7.62-7.59 (m, 2H); 7.46-7.44 (m, 3H); 6.87 (s, 1H), 6.65 (d, 1H); 6.43 (d, 1H), 6.12 (d, 1H), 6.03 (d, 1H); 5.03 (d, 1H); 4.56-4.49 (m, 1H), 4.35 (s, 1H), 4.23-4.1 (m, 3H); 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.49 (d, 1H); 3.19-2.90 (m, 3H), 2.52-2.43 (m, 1H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.147-2.08 (m, 1H); 2.06 (s, 3H), 2.03 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₁H₃₇F₃N₄O₁₀S: 834.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 836.0

Example 41

To a solution of compound 30 (25 mg, 0.04 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.8 mL, 0.05M) under Argon atmosphere was added at 23° C. acetic anhydride (0.005 mL, 0.042 mmol). After 1 h at 23° C. more acetic anhydride was added (0.005 mL, 0.042 mmol). The reaction was stirred for 4 h more and then quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/EtOAc, in gradient from 2:5 to 1:5,) gives pure compound 35 (24 mg, 90%)

R_(f): 0.15 (hexane/ethyl acetate 2:7)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.56, 6.54 (2s, 1H), 6.36, 6.15-6.00 (m, 3H), 5.52-5.42 (m, 1.6H), 5.29-5.25 (m, 0.6H), 5.07-5.01 (m, 1H), 4.71-4.58 (m, 2.4H), 4.30-4.16 (m, 3.4H), 3.76, 3.74 (2s, 3H), 3.41-3.13 (m, 3H), 2.40-2.35 (m, 1H), 2.13 (d, 1H), 2.28, 2.27, 2.19, 2.07, 2.02, 1.98, 1.87, 1.86 (8s, 15H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₄H₃₆N₄O₁₀S: 692.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 693.3

General Experimental Procedure for the Synthesis of Compounds 36, 32, 38, 39, 40 and 41: Conversion of the Nitrile Group into Hydroxyl Group

To a solution of starting material in THF/H₂O 4:1 (0.03M) were added 10 equiv. of CuCl. The reaction was stirred for 24 h protected from the light. After this time, the reaction was quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of NH₄Cl and diluted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic phase is washed with brine and an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃ and the aqueous phase extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (mixtures CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) gives pure compounds.

Example 42

R_(f): 0.11 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 30:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 6.56 (s, 1H), 6.05 (d, 2H), 5.23 (d, 1H), 4.71 (s, 1H), 4.51 (m, 1H), 4.50-4.40 (m, 2H), 4.14-4.11 (m, 2H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.62-3.60 (m, 1H), 3.52-3.50 (m, 1H), 3.00 (d, 2H), 2.30 (s, 3), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.28-2.05 (m, 2H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 1.90 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₁H₃₅N₃O₁₀S: 641.2. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 624.3

Example 43

R_(f): 0.35 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 16:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.55 (s, 1H); 6.49-6.47 (m, 1H); 6.07 (d, 1H); 5.97 (d, 1H); 5.18 (d, 1H); 4.83 (s, 1H); 4.52-4.49 (m, 2H); 4.35 (sa, 1H); 4.15-4.08 (m, 2H); 3.73 (s, 3H); 3.60-3.45 (m, 2H); 2.96-2.85 (m, 2H); 2.47-2.39 (m, 1H); 2.29 (s, 3H); 2.27 (s, 3H); 2.17-2.08 (m, 1H); 2.02 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 169.0, 156.4, 156.1, 146.0, 142.9, 141.3, 141.1, 131.8, 130.1, 129.0, 121.7, 120.8, 115.1, 114.6, 102.1, 81.1, 68.4, 62.2, 60.4, 57.2, 56.1, 53.1, 42.5, 32.1, 32.0, 29.6, 28.1, 22.9, 20.7, 14.3, 9.8

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₁H₃₂F₃N₃O₁₀S: 695.2. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 678.4

Example 44

R_(f): 0.4 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 16:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.57 (s, 1H); 6.06 (d, 1H); 5.96 (d, 1H); 5.53 (d, 1H); 5.15 (d, 1H); 4.78 (s, 1H); 4.59-4.56 (m, 1H); 4.48-4.42 (m, 1H); 4.35 (d, 1H); 4.07 (dd, 1H); 3.98 (dd, 1H); 3.76 (s, 3H); 3.60-3.57 (m, 1H); 3.52 (d, 1H); 3.02-2.79 (m, 2H); 2.31 (s, 3H); 2.28 (s, 3H); 2.17-2.05 (m, 1H); 2.01 (s, 3H); 1.70-1.63 (m, 2H), 1.36-1.24 (m, 24H), 0.87 (t, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 172.2, 170.7, 146.1, 145.8, 142.9, 141.2, 141.0, 132.1, 129.2, 125.5, 125.0, 121.4, 121.0, 115.4, 112.8, 102.0, 81.2, 61.8, 60.6, 57.0, 56.1, 52.0, 51.3, 48.1, 42.4, 36.6, 32.5, 32.1, 30.0, 29.9, 29.8, 29.7, 29.6, 28.0, 27.4, 25.6, 22.9, 20.8, 16.2, 14.3, 9.8

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₅H₆₃N₃O₁₀S: 837.4. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 820.8

Example 45

R_(f): 0.22 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 5:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.58 (s, 1H); 6.07 (s, 1H); 5.97 (s, 1H); 5.76 (bs, 1H); 5.57 (d, 1H); 5.16 (d, 1H); 4.79 (s, 1H); 4.60-4.35 (m, 4H); 4.08 (d, 1H); 3.76 (s, 3H); 3.64-3.50 (m, 2H); 3.00 (d, 1H); 2.84 (dd, 1H); 2.30 (s, 3H); 2.28 (s, 3H); 2.35-2.28 (m, 1H) 2.17-2.04 (m, 3H); 2.01 (s, 3H); 1.10 (t, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₂H₃₇N₃O₁₀S: 655.2. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 638.4

Example 46

R_(f): 0.35 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 16:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.94 (d, 1H); 7.62-7.59 (m, 2H); 7.46-7.44 (m, 3H); 6.87 (s, 1H), 6.65 (d, 1H); 6.45 (d, 1H), 6.09 (d, 1H), 6.00 (d, 1H); 5.15 (d, 1H); 4.83 (s, 1H); 4.52-4.49 (m, 2H); 4.35 (sa, 1H); 4.15-4.08 (m, 2H); 3.73 (s, 3H); 3.60-3.45 (m, 2H); 2.96-2.85 (m, 2H); 2.47-2.39 (m, 1H); 2.29 (s, 3H); 2.27 (s, 3H); 2.17-2.08 (m, 1H); 2.02 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₃₈F₃N₃O₁₁S: 825.2. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 809.5

Example 47

R_(f): 0.2 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 60:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.58 (s, 1H), 6.02 (d, 2H), 5.83-5.69 (m, 1H), 5.69 (s, 1H), 5.59 (d, 1H), 5.17-4.96 (m, 3H), 4.78 (s, 1H), 4.57-4.53 (m, 1H), 4.47-4.25 (m, 3H), 4.09 (dd, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.47 (d, 1H), 3.34-3.31 (m, 1H), 2.92-2.73 (m, 4H), 2.32-2.27 (m, 1H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.14 (d, 1H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 1.88 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₄H₃₉N₃O₁₀S: 681.2. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 664.6

Example 48

To a solution of compound 13 (39 mg, 0.06 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1.5 mL, 0.040 M) were added (PPh₃)₂PdCl₂ (3.4 mg, 0.004 mmol), acetic acid (0.02 mL, 0.30 mmol) and finally HsnBu₃ (0.05 mL, 0.2 mmol). After 30 min at 23° C. the reaction was poured onto a column. Chromatography (hexane/ethyl acete in gradient from 4:1 to 1:2) gives pure compound 42 (31 mg, 86%).

R_(f): 0.38 (hexane/ethyl acete 3:4)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.58 (s, 1H); 6.51 (s, 1H); 6.11 (d, 1H); 6.08 (d, 1H); 6.02 (d, 1H); 5.99 (d, 1H); 5.78 (sa, 2H); 5.10 (d, 1H); 5.05 (d, 1H); 4.65 (s, 1H); 4.54 (s, 1H); 4.50 (d, 1H); 4.47 (d, 1H); 4.40 (s, 1H); 4.26 (s, 1H); 4.24 (s, 1H); 4.20 (s, 1H); 4.18 (d, 1H); 4.01 (dd, 1H); 3.87-3.81 (m, 2H); 3.76 (s, 3H); 3.74 (s, 3H); 3.56 (d, 1H); 3.42 (d, 1H); 3.13-2.81 (m, 6H); 2.57 (d, 2H); 2.32 (s, 3H); 3.31 (s, 3H); 2.28 (s, 3H); 2.24 (s, 3H); 2.19-2.15 (m, 1H); 2.04 (s, 3H); 2.03 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₀H₂₉N₃O₉S: 607.2. Found (M+H)⁺: 608.3

Example 49

To a solution of compound 42 (30 mg, 0.05 mmol) in THF/H₂O 4:1 (1.7 mL, 0.009M) was added CuCl (49 mg, 0.5 mmol). After 24 h at 23° C. the reaction mixture was quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of NH₄Cl, diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with brine and an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃ and the aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 16:1) gives pure compound 43 (3 mg, 10%).

R_(f): 0.2 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 16:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.58 (s, 1H); 6.05 (d, 1H); 5.96 (d, 1H); 5.78 (sa, 1H); 5.17 (d, 1H); 4.78 (s, 1H); 4.51-4.35 (m, 3H); 4.07 (dd, 1H); 4.00 (m, 2H); 3.77 (s, 3H); 3.64-3.53 (m, 2H); 3.07-2.80 (m, 3H); 2.31 (s, 3H); 2.17-2.10 (m, 1H); 2.02 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₂₉H₃₀N₂O₁₀S: 598.2. Found 583.1 (M+-H2O+Me)

Example 50

To a solution of compound 14 (414 mg, 0.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (9.5 mL, 0.032M) under Argon were added Boc₂O (113 mg, 0.5 mmol) and pyridine (0.04 mL, 0.5 mmol). After 2 h at 23° C. more Boc₂O (113 mg, 0.5 mmol) and pyridine (0.04 mL, 0.05 mmol) were added. Additional Boc₂O (113 mg, 0.5 mmol) and pyridine (0.04 mL, 0.05 mmol) were added after 3 h. Total reaction time: 6 hours. The reaction mixture was quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃, the aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic layers dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1) gives pure compounds 44 (365 mg, 78%) and 45 (105 mg, 20%).

Compound 44

R_(f): 0.5 (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.68 (s, 1H); 6.59 (s, 1H); 6.57 (s, 1H); 6.03 (d, 1H); 5.96 (d, 1H); 5.93-5.80 (m, 1H); 5.73 (s, 1H); 5.13-5.07 (m, 2H); 5.00 (d, 1H); 4.55 (s, 1H); 4.36 (d, 1H); 4.32 (s, 1H); 4.18 (d, 1H); 4.09 (dd, 1H); 3.78 (s, 3H); 3.58 (s, 3H); 3.57-3.49 (m, 2H); 3.14-3.05 (m, 1H); 2.98-2.76 (m, 4H); 2.68-2.59 (m, 1H); 2.50-2.45 (m, 1H); 2.35-2.14 (m, 2H); 2.31 (s, 3H); 2.26 (s, 3H); 2.02 (s, 3H); 1.50 (s, 9H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₇H₅₂N₄O₁₂S: 896.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 897.0

Compound 45

R_(f): 0.6 (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.92 (s, 1H); 6.68 (s, 1H); 6.55 (s, 1H); 6.03 (d, 1H); 5.96 (d, 1H); 5.87-5.75 (m, 1H); 5.22-5.07 (m, 2H); 5.00 (d, 1H); 4.55 (s, 1H); 4.33 (s, 1H); 4.18 (d, 1H); 4.10 (dd, 1H); 4.06 (d, 1H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.58 (s, 3H); 3.52 (d, 1H); 3.12-3.00 (m, 1H); 2.93-2.75 (m, 4H); 2.68-2.58 (m, 1H); 2.51-2.46 (m, 1H); 2.32 (s, 3H); 2.31 (s, 3H); 2.27-2.23 (m, 2H); 2.05 (s, 3H); 1.50 (s, 9H); 1,49 (s, 9H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₅₂H₆₀N₄O₁₄S: 996.4. Found (M+H)⁺: 997.7

Example 51

To a solution of compound 44 (275 mg, 0.30 mmol) in THF/H₂O 2:1 (15 mL, 0.027M) was added an aqueous solution of KOH (4 mL, 1.1 M). The reaction mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 2 h. After this time the reaction was quenched with brine and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1) gives pure compound 46 (216 mg, 82%).

R_(f): 0.48 (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.70 (s, 1H); 6.59 (s, 1H); 6.55 (s, 1H); 6.25 (s, 1H); 5.95 (d, 1H); 5.89 (d, 1H); 5.87-5.77 (m, 1H); 5.72 (s, 1H); 5.10-5.03 (m, 2H); 4.99 (d, 1H); 4.49 (d, 1H); 4.38-4.36 (m, 2H); 4.17 (d, 1H); 4.05 (dd, 1H); 3.68 (s, 3H); 3.59-3.53 (m, 2H); 3.56 (s, 3H); 3.13-3.04 (m, 1H); 2.99-2.71 (m, 4H); 2.68-2.46 (m, 3H); 2.40 (d, 1H); 2.30 (s, 3H); 2.16 (s, 3H); 1.50 (s, 9H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₅H₅₀N₄O₁₁S: 854.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 855.6

Example 52

To a solution of compound 46 (108 mg, 0.13 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL, 0.032M) under Argon atmosphere at 23° C. were added pyridine (0.02 mL, 0.26 mmol) and the cinnamoyl chloride (21 mg, 0.13 mmol). The reaction mixture was left for 2 hours at 23° C. and quenched after this time with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃, the aqueous phase extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic layers dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate 2:1) gives pure compound 47 (53 mg, 43%)

R_(f): 0.67 (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.88 (d, 1H); 7.59-7.57 (m, 2H); 7.44-7.39 (m, 3H); 6.71 (s, 1H); 6.589 (d, 1H); 6.58 (s, 1H); 6.54 (s, 1H); 6.06 (d, 1H); 5.97 (d, 1H); 5.92-5.79 (m, 1H); 5.46 (s, 1H); 5.13-5.05 (m, 2H); 5.01 (d, 1H); 4.57 (s, 1H); 4.37-4.34 (m, 2H); 4.20 (s, 1H); 4.11 (d, 1H); 3.61 (s, 3H); 3.55 (d, 2H); 3.45 (s, 3H); 3.15-3.09 (m, 1H); 2.96-2.62 (m, 4H); 2.51-2.31 (m, 3H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.09 (s, 3H); 1.51 (s, 9H)

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₅₅H₅₆N₄O₁₂S: 984.4. Found (M+H)⁺: 986.0

Example 53

To a solution of compound 46 (108 mg, 0.13 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL, 0.032M) under Argon atmosphere were added octanoic acid (0.02 mL, 0.13 mmol), DMAP (31 mg, 0.26 mmol) and EDC.HCl (48 mg, 0.26 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 23° C. for 2 h. After this time the reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with brine and the organic layer dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate 2:1) gives pure compound 48 (86 mg, 69%).

R_(f): 0.85 (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.68 (s, 1H); 6.58 (s, 1H); 6.56 (s, 1H); 6.03 (d, 1H); 5.95 (d, 1H); 5.93-5.79 (m, 1H); 5.65 (s, 1H); 5.13-5.07 (m, 2H); 5.00 (d, 1H); 4.53 (d, 1H); 4.36-4.32 (m, 2H); 4.17 (d, 1H); 4.09 (dd, 1H); 3.76 (s, 3H); 3.58 (s, 3H); 3.57-3.50 (m, 2H); 3.14-3.06 (m, 1H); 2.97-2.75 (m, 4H); 2.68-2.45 (m, 3H); 2.35-2.14 (m, 2H); 2.31 (s, 3H); 2.01 (s, 3H); 1.75-1.71 (m, 2H); 1.50 (s, 9H); 1.36-1.24 (m, 10H); 0.89 (t, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₅₃H₆₄N₄O₁₂S: 980.4. Found (M+H)⁺: 982.0

Example 54

A solution of compound 47 (38 mg, 0.03 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂/H₂O/TFA 2:1:3.3 (3.1 mL, 0.013M) was stirred at 23° C. for 64 h. The reaction mixture was neutralised with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃, extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic layers dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate 3:2) gives pure compound 49 (34 mg, 99%).

R_(f): 0.56 (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.86 (d, 1H); 7.58-7.54 (m, 2H); 7.46-7.44 (m, 3H); 6.57 (d, 1H); 6.55 (s, 1H); 6.49 (s, 1H); 6.45 (s, 1H); 6.07 (d, 1H); 5.99 (d, 1H); 5.90-5.79 (m, 1H); 5.42 (s, 1H); 5.13-5.04 (m, 2H); 5.03 (d, 1H); 4.60 (s, 1H); 4.37-4.34 (m, 2H); 4.23-4.20 (m, 2H); 4.13 (d, 1H); 3.64 (s, 3H); 3.55 (d, 2H); 3.44 (s, 3H); 3.15-3.06 (m, 1H); 2.97-2.77 (m, 4H); 2.64-2.34 (m, 4H); 2.24 (s, 3H); 2.09 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₉H₄₈N₄O₁₀S: 884.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 885.0

Example 55

A solution of compound 48 (65 mg, 0.06 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂/H₂O/TFA 2:1:3.3 (5.3 mL, 0.013M) was stirred at 23° C. for 64 h. The reaction mixture was neutralised with an aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃, extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic layer dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate 3:2) gives pure compound 50 (57 mg, 99%).

R_(f): 0.64 (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.59 (s, 1H); 6.47 (s, 1H); 6.43 (s, 1H); 6.04 (d, 1H); 5.96 (d, 1H); 5.91-5.80 (m, 1H); 5.64 (s, 1H); 5.14-5.07 (m, 2H); 5.00 (d, 1H); 4.55 (d, 1H); 4.36-4.33 (m, 2H); 4.20 (d, 1H); 4.11 (dd, 1H); 3.77 (s, 3H); 3.62 (s, 3H); 3.58-3.50 (m, 2H); 3.12-3.07 (m, 1H); 2.98-2.76 (m, 4H); 2.63-2.43 (m, 3H); 2.36-2.10 (m, 2H); 2.31 (s, 3H); 2.02 (s, 3H); 1.73-1.65 (m, 2H); 1.34-1.20 (m, 10H); 0.89 (t, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₈H₅₆N₄O₁₀S: 880.4. Found (M+H)⁺: 882.0

Synthesis of Compounds 51 and 52 Following the General Experimental Procedure for Deallylation Reactions Example 56

R_(f): 0.26 (hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.87 (d, 1H); 7.59-7.54 (m, 4H); 7.51-7.44 (m, 6H); 6.60-6.43 (m, 8H); 6.07 (d, 2H); 5.97 (d, 2H); 5.03 (d, 2H); 4.59 (s, 2H); 4.50 (d, 1H); 4.37-4.34 (m, 2H); 4.23-4.09 (m, 4H); 3.84 (d, 2H); 3.65 (s, 3H); 3.64 (s, 3H); 3.61 (s, 6H); 3.57-3.52 (m, 2H); 3.43-3.40 (m, 2H); 3.14-2.97 (m, 6H); 2.93-2.80 (m, 6H); 2.68-2.58 (m, 2H); 2.48-2.20 (m, 4H); 2.29 (s, 3H); 2.23 (s, 3H); 2.09 (s, 3H); 1.94 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₆H₄₄N₄O₁₀S: 844.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 845.0

Example 57

R_(f): 0.36 (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1)

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 6.61 (s, 1H); 6.47 (s, 1H); 6.43 (s, 1H); 6.05 (d, 1H); 5.97 (d, 1H); 5.72 (s, 1H); 5.02 (d, 1H); 4.55 (d, 1H); 4.50 (d, 1H); 4.33 (s, 1H); 4.19 (d, 1H); 4.11 (dd, 1H); 3.85 (d, 1H); 3.76 (s, 3H); 3.61 (s, 3H); 3.52 (d, 1H); 3.14-2.97 (m, 3H); 2.81-2.76 (m, 1H); 2.67-2.48 (m, 3H); 2.43-2.33 (m, 1H); 2.30 (s, 3H); 2.17-2.09 (m, 1H); 2.02 (s, 3H); 1.74-1.70 (m, 2H); 1.38-1.20 (m, 10H); 0.89 (t, 3H)

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for: C₄₅H₅₂N₄O₁₀S. 840.3 Found (M+H)⁺: 841.1

General Experimental Procedure for the Synthesis of Compounds 53 and 54

Interconversion of the nitrile group into the hydroxyl group.

To a solution of starting material in CH₃CN/H₂O 3:2 (0.015M) was added AgNO₃ (30 equiv). After 24 h at 23° C., the reaction was quenched with a mixture 1:1 of saturated aqueous solutions of brine and NaHCO₃, stirred for 10 min, diluted and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (mixtures of CH₂Cl₂:MeOH) gives pure compounds 53 and 54.

Example 58

R_(f): 0.46 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 8:0.5)

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.87 (d, 1H); 7.59-7.54 (m, 4H); 7.51-7.44 (m, 6H); 6.60-6.43 (m, 8H); 6.05 (d, 2H); 5.97 (d, 2H); 5.14 (d, 2H); 4.87 (s, 2H); 4.54-4.37 (m, 4H); 4.06-4.02 (m, 2H); 3.74-3.60 (m, 4H); 3.64 (s, 3H); 3.63 (s, 3H); 3.61 (s, 3H); 3.48 (s, 3H); 3.48-3.43 (m, 2H); 3.18-3.01 (m, 6H); 2.91-2.83 (m, 6H); 2.70-2.58 (m, 2H); 2.49-2.22 (m, 4H); 2.29 (s, 3H); 2.24 (s, 3H); 2.08 (s, 3H); 1.93 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 145.7, 144.6, 144.5, 131.1, 129.4, 129.0, 128.9, 128.5, 127.1, 126.7, 125.0, 121.6, 117.3, 114.9, 114.2, 110.0, 101.9, 81.5, 68.4, 61.4, 60.6, 57.3, 56.2, 55.3, 51.4, 48.0, 42.4, 40.0, 38.9, 37.3, 36.0, 33.0, 32.1, 32.0, 31.2, 30.5, 29.6, 29.1, 27.6, 27.3, 23.9, 23.2, 22.9, 20.0, 16.0, 14.4, 11.2, 9.8

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for: C₄₅H₄₅N₃O₁₁S: 835.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 836.0

Example 59

R_(f): 0.31 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 8:0.5)

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 6.60 (s, 1H); 6.45 (s, 1H); 6.42 (s, 1H); 6.02 (d, 1H); 5.95 (d, 1H); 5.12 (d, 1H); 4.83 (s, 1H); 4.52 (d, 1H); 4.45 (s, 1H); 4.40-4.36 (m, 1H); 4.06-3.99 (m, 2H); 3.76 (s, 1H); 3.63-3.60 (m, 2H); 3.61 (s, 3H); 3.46 (d, 1H); 3.15-3.00 (m, 3H); 2.90-2.77 (m, 2H); 2.63-2.49 (m, 3H); 2.43-2.35 (m, 1H); 2.30 (s, 3H); 2.18-2.06 (m, 1H); 2.00 (s, 3H); 1.74-1.70 (m, 2H); 1.34-1.20 (m, 10H); 0.89 (t, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for: C₄₄H₅₃N₃O₁₁S: 831.3 Found (M+H)⁺: 832.0

General Experimental Procedure for Introduction of the Tryptamine Moiety, Pictect-Spengler Reaction; Synthesis of Compounds 55, 56, 57 and 58

To a solution of compound 13 in acetic acid (0.5 10⁻⁴M) under Argon atmosphere at 23° C. was added the tryptamine reagent. The reaction mixture was stirred for 24 h at 23° C. (for compounds 57 and 58 temperature reaction 60° C.) and then the acetic acid was evaporated. An aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO₃ was added and the mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄. Flash chromatography (mixtures of hexane/ethyl acetate) gives pure compounds.

Example 60

R_(f): 0.45 (hexane/ethyl acete 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H); 7.38 (d, 1H); 7.24 (d, 1H); 7.09 (t, 1H); 7.00 (t, 1H); 6.66 (s, 1H); 6.22 (d, 1H); 6.01 (d, 1H); 5.94-5.80 (m, 1H); 5.78 (s, 1H); 5.15-5.07 (m, 3H); 4.56 (s, 1H); 4.37 (d, 1H); 4.33 (s, 1H); 4.23 (d, 1H); 4.19 (dd, 1H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.55 (d, 1H); 3.44 (d, 1H); 3.17-2.80 (m, 6H); 2.71-2.52 (m, 3H); 2.37 (s, 3H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.06 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₃H₄₃N₅O₈S: 789.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 790.0

Example 61

R_(f): 0.18 (Hex/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.65 (s, 1H); 7.11 (d, 1H); 6.81 (d, 1H); 6.73 (dd, 1H); 6.66 (s, 1H); 6.19 (d, 1H); 5.99 (d, 1H); 5.92-5.83 (m, 1H); 5.78 (s, 1H); 5.15-5.06 (m, 3H); 4.55 (s, 1H); 4.36 (d, 1H); 4.32 (s, 1H); 4.22 (d, 1H); 4.18 (dd, 1H); 3.81 (s, 3H); 3.79 (s, 3H); 3.54 (d, 1H); 3.44 (d, 1H); 3.16-3.03 (m, 2H); 2.96-2.78 (m, 4H); 2.65-2.50 (m, 3H); 2.38 (s, 3H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.05 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₄H₄₅N₅O₉S: 819.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 820.5

Example 62

R_(f): 0.10 (Hex/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.72 (s, 1H); 6.88 (d, 1H); 6.65 (d, 1H); 6.60 (d, 1H); 6.52 (dd, 1H); 6.10 (s, 1H); 5.94 (s, 1H); 5.94-5.81 (m, 1H); 5.82 (s, 1H); 5.14-5.03 (m, 3H); 4.53 (s, 1H); 4.35 (d, 1H); 4.29 (s, 1H); 4.20 (d, 1H); 4.17 (dd, 1H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.53 (d, 1H); 3.41 (d, 1H); 3.09-3.01 (m, 2H); 2.91-2.72 (m, 5H); 2.56-2.51 (m, 2H); 2.37 (s, 3H); 2.23 (s, 3H); 2.03 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₃H₄₃N₅O₉S: 805.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 806.5

Example 63

R_(f): 0.48 (Hex/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.66 (s, 1H); 7.14 (S, 1H); 7.13 (d, 1H); 6.91 (d, 1H); 6.66 (S, 1H); 6.21 (s, 1H); 6.00 (s, 1H); 5.92-5.81 (m, 1H); 5.80 (s, 1H); 5.15-5.06 (m, 3H); 4.55 (s, 1H); 4.37 (d, 1H); 4.32 (s, 1H); 4.21 (d, 1H); 4.16 (d, 1H); 3.81 (s, 3H); 3.54 (d, 1H); 3.43 (d, 1H); 3.17-3.03 (m, 2H); 2.96-2.77 (m, 5H); 2.68-2.42 (m, 4H); 2.37 (s, 3H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.06 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₄H₄₅N₅O₈S: 803.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 804.4

Synthesis of Compounds 59, 60, 61 and 62 Following the General Experimental Procedure for Deallylation Reactions Example 64

R_(f): 0.21 (Hex/ethyl acetate 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H); 7.38 (d, 1H); 7.24 (d, 1H); 7.09 (t, 1H); 7.00 (t, 1H); 6.68 (s, 1H); 6.23 (d, 1H); 6.02 (d, 1H); 5.10 (d, 1H); 4.55 (s, 1H); 4.51 (d, 1H); 4.33 (s, 1H); 4.23 (d, 1H); 4.19 (dd, 1H); 3.84 (d, 1H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.45 (d, 1H); 3.25-2.79 (m, 6H); 2.71-2.53 (m, 3H); 2.36 (s, 3H); 2.26 (s, 3H); 2.07 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₃₉N₅O₈S: 749.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 749.9

Example 65

R_(f): 0.15 (Hex/ethyl acetate 1:2)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.65 (s, 1H); 7.12 (d, 1H); 6.81 (d, 1H); 6.73 (dd, 1H); 6.67 (s, 1H); 6.20 (s, 1H); 6.00 (s, 1H); 5.08 (d, 1H); 4.55 (s, 1H); 4.49 (d, 1H); 4.31 (s, 1H); 4.31-4.16 (m, 2H); 3.83 (d, 1H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.79 (s, 3H); 3.44 (d, 1H); 3.24-3.11 (m, 2H); 3.03-2.94 (m, 1H); 2.83-2.80 (m, 1H); 2.65-2.50 (m, 4H); 2.36 (s, 3H); 2.26 (s, 3H); 2.06 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₁H₄₁N₅O₉S: 779.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 780.0

Example 66

R_(f): 0.10 (Hex/ethyl acetate 1:2)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.67 (s, 1H); 6.93 (d, 1H); 6.66 (s, 2H); 6.55 (dd, 1H); 6.15 (s, 1H); 5.98 (s, 1H); 5.06 (d, 1H); 4.53 (s, 1H); 4.48 (d, 1H); 4.29 (s, 1H); 4.19 (d, 1H); 3.82 (d, 1H); 3.78 (s, 3H); 3.42 (d, 1H); 3.22-2.96 (m, 5H); 2.76-2.73 (m, 2H); 2.57-2.43 (m, 3H); 2.35 (s, 3H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.04 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₃₉N₅O₉S: 765.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 766.4

Example 67

R_(f): 0.35 (Hex/ethyl acetate 1:2)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.63 (s, 1H); 7.26 (s, 1H); 7.15 (d, 1H); 6.91 (d, 1H); 6.68 (s, 1H); 6.22 (d, 1H); 6.02 (d, 1H); 5.09 (d, 1H); 4.55 (s, 1H); 4.50 (d, 1H); 4.32 (s, 1H); 4.22 (d, 1H); 4.18 (dd, 1H); 3.83 (d, 1H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.44 (d, 1H); 3.25-3.10 (m, 3H); 3.03-2.94 (m, 1H); 2.83-2.77 (m, 1H); 2.66-2.51 (m, 4H); 2.37 (s, 3H); 2.36 (s, 3H); 2.26 (s, 3H); 2.07 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₁H₄₁N₅O₈S: 763.3. Found (M+H)⁺: 764.0

General Experimental Procedure for the Synthesis of Compounds 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67

Interconversion of the nitrile group into the hydroxyl group.

To a solution of starting material in CH₃CN/H₂O 3:2 (0.015M) was added AgNO₃ (30 equiv). After 24 h at 23° C., the reaction was quenched with a mixture 1:1 of saturated aqueous solutions of brine and NaHCO₃, stirred for 10 min, diluted and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography (mixtures of CH₂Cl₂:MeOH) gave pure compounds 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67.

Example 68

R_(f): 0.13 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 16:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.72 (s, 1H); 7.38 (d, 1H); 7.24 (d, 1H); 7.09 (t, 1H); 7.00 (t, 1H); 6.68 (s, 1H); 6.21 (d, 1H); 6.00 (d, 1H); 5.21 (d, 1H); 4.85 (s, 1H); 4.53-4.38 (m, 3H); 4.13-4.08 (m, 2H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.64-3.57 (m, 3H); 3.17-3.08 (m, 2H); 2.91-2.82 (m, 2H); 2.69-2.54 (m, 3H); 2.36 (s, 3H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.08 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 171.7, 146.0, 145.7, 142.8, 141.4, 140.9, 135.7, 132.0, 131.1, 129.5, 127.1, 125.0, 124.6, 122.1, 121.8, 121.5, 119.4, 118.6, 115.7, 111.2, 110.4, 102.0, 81.7, 62.6, 62.1, 60.6, 57.2, 56.1, 51.4, 48.1, 42.6, 40.0, 39.4, 29.9, 27.4, 21.8, 20.8, 16.0, 9.9

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₉H₄₀N₄O₉S: 740.3. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 723.0

Example 69

R_(f): 0.36 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 8:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.60 (s, 1H); 7.12 (d, 1H); 6.81 (d, 1H); 6.74 (dd, 1H); 6.68 (s, 1H); 6.19 (s, 1H); 6.00 (dd, 1H); 5.20 (d, 1H); 4.84 (s, 1H); 4.53-4.37 (m, 3H); 4.12-4.07 (m, 2H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.78 (s, 3H); 3.60-3.53 (m, 3H); 3.18-3.11 (m, 2H); 2.90-2.79 (m, 2H); 2.66-2.49 (m, 3H); 2.36 (s, 3H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.05 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 171.7; 168.9; 154.0; 146.1; 145.7; 142.9; 141.4; 140.9; 134.0; 131.9; 130.9; 129.6; 129.3; 127.4; 124.5; 121.8; 121.5; 115.7; 113.1; 111.9; 110.1; 102.1; 100.6; 81.7; 62.6; 62.0; 60.6; 57.1; 56.1; 51.4; 48.0; 42.6; 40.1; 39.4; 29.9; 27.4; 21.8; 20.8; 16.0; 9.9.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₄₂N₄O₁₀S: 770.3. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 753.2

Example 70

R_(f): 0.15 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 8:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.59 (s, 1H); 7.03 (d, 1H); 6.72 (d, 1H); 6.68 (t, 1H); 7.00 (t, 1H); 6.68 (s, 1H); 6.61 (dd, 1H); 6.18 (s, 1H); 5.97 (s, 1H); 5.20 (d, 1H); 4.84 (s, 1H); 4.52-4.36 (m, 3H); 4.12-4.09 (m, 2H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.60-3.48 (m, 3H); 3.16-3.10 (m, 3H); 2.91-2.77 (m, 2H); 2.57-2.43 (m, 3H); 2.36 (s, 3H); 2.26 (s, 3H); 2.05 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 171.7; 169.2; 149.6; 146.1; 142.8; 141.3; 141.0; 132.1; 132.0; 131.1; 131.0; 129.6; 129.0; 127.7; 124.6; 121.8; 121.5; 115.7; 113.1; 111.7; 109.8; 103.4; 102.1; 81.7; 68.3; 62.0; 60.6; 57.1; 56.1; 51.4; 48.0; 42.5; 40.0; 39.2; 32.1; 27.4; 20.8; 16.0; 9.9.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₉H₄₀N₄O₁₀S: 756.3. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 739.0

Example 71

R_(f): 0.47 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 8:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.61 (s, 1H); 7.14 (s, 1H); 7.13 (d, 1H); 6.91 (d, 1H); 6.66 (s, 1H); 6.20 (s, 1H); 6.01 (d, 1H); 5.19 (d, 1H); 4.85 (s, 1H); 4.54-4.40 (m, 3H); 4.12-4.08 (m, 2H); 3.80 (s, 3H); 3.62 (d, 2H); 3.54 (m, 1H); 3.17-3.08 (m, 2H); 2.90-2.78 (m, 2H); 2.64-2.47 (m, 3H); 2.37 (s, 3H); 2.36 (s, 3H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.06 (s, 3H).

¹³C-RMN (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 171.7; 168.9; 146.2; 145.7; 142.9; 141.4; 140.9; 134.1; 132.4; 132.3; 131.2; 129.6; 128.6; 127.3; 123.7; 121.7; 121.4; 118.4; 115.7; 113.1; 110.8; 109.9; 102.1; 81.6; 62.0; 60.6; 56.1; 51.4; 48.0; 42.5; 39.4; 32.1; 29.2; 28.1; 27.3; 21.8; 20.8; 16.0; 13.8; 9.9.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₄₂N₄O₉S: 754.3. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 737.3

Example 72

R_(f): 0.26 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 30:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.62 (s, 1H), 6.47 (s, 1H), 6.45 (s, 1H), 6.03 (s, 1H), 5.95 (s, 1H), 5.78 (m, 1H), 5.67 (s, 1H), 5.38 (m, 1H), 5.14 (d, 2H), 5.05 (bs, 1H), 4.99 (bs, 1H), 4.83 (bs, 1H), 4.49 (bs, 1H), 4.28 (bs, 1H), 4.05 (d, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.57 (m, 1H), 3.35 (m, 1H), 3.12 (m, 1H), 2.85 (m, 4H), 2.60 (m, 2H), 2.51 (m, 1H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.18 (m, 4H), 2.03 (s, 3H)

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₁H₄₅N₃O₁₁S: 787.8. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 770.4

Example 73

A solution of Et-729 (19.9 mg, 0.03 mmol) in a methanolic solution of KOH (5.21 ml, 0.95 mmol, 0.1817M) was stirred under argon at 23° C. After 1 h the reaction was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and extracted. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. Chromatography gives pure compound.

R_(f): 0.18 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 10:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 6.61 (s, 1H); 6.39 (s, 1H); 6.33 (s, 1H); 6.03 (s, 1H); 5.88 (s, 1H); 5-45-5.44 (m, 1H); 5.13 (d, 1H); 4.81 (s, 1H); 4.71-6.67 (m, 2H); 4.30 (d, 1H); 4.08 (dd, 1H); 3.92 (d, 1H); 3.79 (d, 1H); 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.55 (s, 3H); 3.18-3.05 (m, 3H); 2.83-2.79 (m, 1H); 2-70-2.56 (m, 1H); 2.38 (d, 1H); 2.30 (s, 3H); 2.20 (d, 1H); 2.14 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₆H₃₉N₃O₁₀S: 705.2. Found (M−H₂O+H)⁺: 688.4

Example 74

To a solution of intermediate 1 (1.17 g, 2.26 mmol) and cysteine derivative (0.9 g, 2.26 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (45 mL, 0.05M) was added at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere EDC.HCl (0.87 g, 4.52 mmol) and DMAP (0.55 g, 4.52 mmol). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere for 1 hour. A saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate was added and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane, the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of dichloromethane/methanol in gradient from 100:0 to 80:1) to afford intermediate 69 (1.43 g, 70%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.5 (dichloromethane/MeOH 60:1)

¹H-RMN (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 7.63 (d, 2H), 7.47 (dd, 2H), 7.34 (m, 2H), 7.23 (m, 2H), 6.35 (s, 1H), 6.09 (d, 1H), 5.91 (m, 2H), 5.85 (d, 1H), 5.62 (m, 1H), 5.58 (s, 1H), 5.30 (dd, 1H), 5.20 (dd, 1H), 4.15 (d, 1H), 4.06-3.91 (m, 4H), 3.78 (dd, 1H), 3.69 (broad t, 1H), 3.49 (s, 3H), 3.44 (m, 2H), 3.30 (d, 1H), 3.18 (dd, 1H), 3.07 (m, 3H), 2.81 (m, 2H), 2.29-2.21 (m, 1H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.15 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.44 (m, 1H).

¹³C-RMN (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) δ 169.95, 154.83, 148.77, 146.74, 145.06, 144.19, 142.48, 141.30, 141.22, 138.49, 134.24, 131.47, 128.76, 127.46, 127.33, 126.98, 126.76, 124.36, 124.09, 121.29, 121.08, 119.82, 119.62, 118.03, 116.76, 116.41, 112.89, 112.44, 101.03, 79.65, 73.46, 60.38, 58.76, 57.85, 56.21, 55.27, 51.76, 46.66, 41.49, 38.59, 34.48, 33.85, 31.55, 28.37, 26.41, 24.29, 22.61, 15.51, 14.08, 9.53.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₅₁H₅₇N₅O₈S: 899.4. Found (M+H)⁺: 900.4.

Example 75

To a solution of intermediate 69 (1.37 g, 1.52 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (8 mL, 0.19 M) was added at 0° C. under Argon atmosphere DIPEA (5.31 mL, 30.4 mmol), MEMCl (2.59 mL, 22.8 mmol) and DMAP (18.63 mg, 0.15 mmol). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere for 5 hours. A saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride was added, the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane, the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent ethyl acetate/hexane 2:3) to afford intermediate 70 (1.38 g, 92%) as a yellow solid. Other fraction with 130 mg was isolated after column as a mixture of starting material and compound 70 in a ratio 2:1.

R_(f): 0.48 (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:3)

¹H-RMN (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.62 (d, 2H), 7.50 (d, 1H), 7.40 (t, 1H), 7.33 (m, 2H), 7.21 (m, 2H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.08 (d, 1H), 5.97 (m, 1H), 5.95-5.86 (m, 1H), 5.84 (d, 1H), 5.66 (broad d, 1H), 5.31 (dd, 1H), 5.21 (dd, 1H), 5.14 (d, 1H), 5.04 (d, 1H), 4.16 (d, 1H), 4.06-3.92 (m, 3H), 3.87 (m, 2H), 3.73 (m, 4H), 3.54 (m, 2H), 3.41 (s, 3H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 3.30 (m, 2H), 3.20 (dd, 1H), 3.04 (m, 3H), 2.82 (m, 2H), 2.27 (m, 1H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.09 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 1.49 (s, 9H), 1.43 (m, 1H).

¹³C-RMN (CDCl₃, 75 MHz): δ 170.19, 155.14, 148.96, 148.83, 148.31, 145.37, 145.23, 144.43, 141.61, 141.55, 138.70, 134.42, 131.13, 131.02, 127.76, 127.59, 127.23, 127.127.01, 125.58, 124.58, 124.27, 123.93, 121.42, 120.09, 119.88, 118.29, 116.82, 113.03, 112.68, 101.31, 98.34, 95.88, 92.55, 79.97, 73.50, 71.98, 71.88, 69.54, 67.68, 67.01, 59.73, 59.27, 58.94, 58.27, 56.86, 56.35, 55.52, 51.90, 46.95, 41.63, 38.37, 34.87, 33.67, 28.65, 26.70, 24.47, 15.83, 9.73.

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₅₅H₆₅N₅O₁₀S: 987.4. Found (M+1)⁺: 988.6.

Example 76

To a solution of intermediate 70 (1.38 g, 1.39 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (36 mL, 0.04 M) was added at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere, (PPh₃)₂PdCl₂ (0.11 g, 8% in weight), acetic acid (0.39 mL, 6.98 mmol) and tributyltin hydride (1.31 mL, 4.88 mmol). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere for 30 minutes, diluted with hexane and poured onto column (eluent mixtures ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 0:100 to 3:2) to afford intermediate 71 (1.16 g, 87%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.28 (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1)

¹H-RMN (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.69 (t, 2H), 7.54 (t, 2H), 7.39-7.23 (m 4H), 6.61 (s, 1H), 5.98 (m, 1H), 5.96 (s, 1H), 5.87 (s, 1H), 5.80 (s, 1H), 5.39 (t, 2H), 5.21 (d, 1H), 4.11 (m, 3H), 4.01 (m, 1H), 3.92 (m, 3H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 3.55 (m, 2H), 3.39 (s, 3H), 3.37 (m, 3H), 3.26-3.12 (m, 4H), 2.90 (d, 1H), 2.88 (m, 1H), 2.78 (d, 1H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.15 (s, 3H), 2.06 (s, 3H), 1.73 (dd, 1H), 1.39 (s, 9H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₅₂H₆₁N₅O₁₀S: 947.4. Found (M+1)⁺: 948.8.

Example 77

To a solution of compound 71 (39 mg, 0.041 mmol) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (1.2 mL, 0.03M) was added at −10° C. under Argon atmosphere a solution of benceneseleninic anhydride (21.14 mg, 0.041 mmol) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (0.6 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at −10° C. under Argon atmosphere for 30 minutes. The reaction was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and quenched with an aqueous saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate, the aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate. The solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure and the crude of the reaction was purified by flash column chromatography to afford compound 72 (33 mg, 83%) as a pale yellow solid and a mixture of isomers in ratio 1.3:1 by ¹H-RMN.

R_(f): 0.21 and 0.11 (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:1)

¹H-RMN (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 7.74 (d, 4H), 7.70-7.62 (m, 4H), 7.39 (t, 4H), 7.31 (t, 4H), 6.72 (m, 2H), 6.61 (s, 1H), 6.46 (s, 1H), 5.78 (s, 1H), 5.77 (s, 1H), 5.61 (s, 1H), 5.58 (s, 1H), 5.38 (broad d, 1H), 5.23 (d, 1H), 5.12 (d, 2H), 5.04 (d, 1H), 4.83 (s, 1H), 4.41 (s, 1H), 4.11 (m, 2H), 4.03 (m, 4H), 3.90-3.86 (m, 2H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.78-3.71 (m, 5H), 3.55 (m, 6H), 3.52 (s, 3H), 3.38 (s, 3H), 3.35 (s, 3H), 3.27 (m, 4H), 3.12 (m, 3H), 2.81 (m, 6H), 2.44 (m, 4H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 2.14-2.10 (m, 2H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 1.78 (s, 3H), 1.77 (s, 3H), 1.39 (s, 9H), 1.34 (s, 9H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₅₂H₆₁N₅O₁₁S: 963.4. Found (M+1)⁺: 964.9.

Example 78

The reaction flask was flamed twice, purged vacuum/Argon several times and kept under Argon atmosphere for the reaction. To a solution of DMSO (220.8 μL) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (20.7 mL) was dropwise added triflic anhydride (104.7 μL) at −78° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 20 minutes, then a solution of 72 (300 mg, 0.31 mmol) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (10.4 mL) at −78° C. was added via canula. During the addition the temperature was kept at −78° C. in both flasks. The reaction mixture was stirred at −40° C. for 35 minutes. After this time, ^(i)Pr₂NEt (812.9 μL) was dropwise added and the reaction mixture was kept at 0° C. for 45 minutes. Then ^(t)BuOH (293.4 μL) and guanidine (534.9 μL) were dropwise added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 40 minutes. After this time, acetic anhydride (441.1 μL) was dropwise added and the reaction mixture was kept at 23° C. for 1 hour more. Then the reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with an aqueous saturated solution of NH₄Cl, NaHCO₃ and NaCl. The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated.

The residue was purified by a flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of ethyl acetate/hexane in gradient from 1:4 to 1:1) to afford 73 (160 mg, 64%) as a pale yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.13 (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.76 (s, 1H), 6.06 (d, 1H), 5.98 (s, 1H), 5.32 (d, 1H), 5.17 (d, 1H), 4.81 (s, 1H), 4.48 (broad s, 1H), 4.36 (broad d, 1H), 4.18 (s, 1H), 3.95-3.82 (m, 3H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.72-3.68 (m, 1H), 3.59-3.52 (m, 4H), 3.37 (s, 3H), 3.36 (s, 3H), 2.96 (m, 2H), 2.56 (broad d, 1H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.19 (s, 3H), 1.98 (s, 3H), 1.69 (m, 1H), 1.42-1.37 (m, 1H), 1.38 (s, 9H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₅₁N₅O₁₁S: 809.3. Found (M+1)⁺: 810.2

Example 79

To a solution of intermediate 73 (169 mg, 0.21 mmol) in CHCl₃ (11 mL, 0.02 M) was added at 23° C. p-TsOH (243 mg, 1.25 mmol). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere for 14 hours. The reaction was diluted with dichloromethane and a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate was added. The aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane, the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of methylene chloride/methyl alcohol in gradient from 100:0 to 9:1) to afford intermediate 74 (123 mg, 95%) as a orange solid.

R_(f): 0.17 (methylene chloride/methyl alcohol 95:5)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.81 (broad s, 1H), 6.49 (s, 1H), 6.06 (d, 1H), 6.00 (d, 1H), 4.43 (broad s, 1H), 4.27 (d, 2H), 4.17 (s, 1H), 4.04 (d, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.62 (d, 1H), 3.39 (d, 1H), 3.18 (m, 1H), 3.00 (dd, 2H), 2.65 (d, 1H), 2.57 (m, 1H), 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.17 (s, 3H), 1.97 (s, 3H), 1.80 (d, 1H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₁H₃₅N₅O₇S: 621.2. Found (M+1)⁺: 622.2

Example 80

To a solution of the pyridinium salt (285 mg, 1.14 mmol) in DMF (6 mL) was added at 23° C. a solution of intermediate 74 (71 mg, 0.114 mmol) in dichloromethane (6 mL, 0.01 M final concentration). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere for 4 hours and 15 minutes, then DBU (0.17 mL, 1.14 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere for 15 minutes. After this time a saturated solution of oxalic acid (11 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture was left at 23° C. under Argon atmosphere for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was cooled at 0° C., was diluted with Et₂O and a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate was added until to reach pH=5. The aqueous phase was extracted with Et₂O (×4), further basified with more sodium bicarbonate and extracted with more Et₂O (×4). The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures methylene chloride/methyl alcohol in gradient from 100:0 to 20:1) to afford intermediate 75 (38 mg, 55%) as a yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.7 and 0.5 (methylene chloride/methyl alcohol 8:1)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ (major isomer) 6.49 (s, 1H), 6.06 (d, 1H), 6.01 (d, 1H), 5.78 (s, 1H), 4.55 (s, 1H), 4.37-4.23 (m, 3H), 4.05 (d, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.65 (d, 1H), 3.40 (broad d, 1H), 3.06-3.00 (m, 2H), 2.66 (dd, 2H), 2.34 (s, 3H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 1.99 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₁H₃₂N₄O₈S: 620.2. Found (M+1)⁺: 621.1

Example 81

To a solution of intermediate 75 (23 mg, 0.037 mmol) in acetic acid (1.3 mL) was added after 1 hour dopamine derivative (25 mg, 0.10 mmol). The reaction mixture was left at 23° C. and under Argon atmosphere for 50 hours. The solvent of the reaction was eliminated under reduced pressure and the residue was diluted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with an aqueous saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure and the crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent mixtures of CH₂Cl₂/ethyl acetate in gradient from 100:0 to 1:2) to afford intermediate 76 (18 mg, 63%) as a pale yellow solid and a mixture of isomers.

R_(f): 0.26 (CH₂Cl₂/ethyl acetate 1:3)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.54 (s, 1H), 6.48 (d, 1H), 6.43 (s, 1H), 6.08 (d, 1H), 6.06 (d, 1H), 6.04 (d, 1H), 6.01 (d, 1H), 5.80 (s, 1H), 5.75 (s, 1H), 5.41 (m, 1H), 4.60-4.16 (m, 7H), 4.04 (m, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.65 (d, 2H), 3.42 (m, 2H), 3.07-2.84 (m, 5H), 2.70 (d, 2H), 2.61-2.47 (m, 4H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 2.34 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.19 (s, 3H), 2.16 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 1.99 (s, 3H), 1.66 (m, 2H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₄₀H₄₃N₅O₉S: 769.3. Found (M+1)⁺: 770.0.

Example 82

To a solution of intermediate 76 (7 mg, 0.009 mmol) in acetonitrile (0.6 mL) was added at 23° C. water (0.4 mL, 0.015 M, final concentration) and AgNO₃ (46 mg, 0.27 mmol). The reaction mixture was left under Argon atmosphere at 23° C. for 31 hours. The reaction was diluted with dichloromethane and a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate and a saturated solution of sodium chloride was added. The aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane and the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the solvent was eliminated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent dichloromethane/ethyl acetate in gradient from 1/9 to 100% in ethyl acetate) to afford the final product 77 (4 mg, 58%) as a pale yellow solid.

R_(f): 0.17 (dichloromethane/ethyl acetate 1:9)

¹H-RMN (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.54 (s, 1H), 6.20 (m, 1H), 6.03 (d, 1H), 6.01 (d, 1H), 5.72 (s, 1H), 5.41 (broad s, 1H), 4.65 (broad s, 1H), 4.40-4.29 (m, 3H), 4.16 (d, 2H), 3.83 (m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.49 (s, 1H), 3.21 (m, 2H), 2.94 (m, 4H), 2.66 (d, 1H), 2.51 (d, 2H), 2.36 (m, 2H), 2.31 (s, 6H), 2.17 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H).

ESI-MS m/z: Calcd. for C₃₉H₄₄N₄O₁₀S: 760.3. Found (M−H₂O+1)⁺: 743.0

Bioassays for Antitumor Screening

The finality of these assays is to interrupt the growth of a “in vitro” tumor cell culture by means a continued exhibition of the cells to the sample to be testing.

CELL LINES Name N^(o) ATCC Species Tissue Characteristics P-388 CCL-46 mouse ascites fluid lymphoid neoplasm K-562 CCL-243 human leukemia erythroleukemia (pleural effusion) A-549 CCL-185 human lung lung carcinoma “NSCL” SK-MEL-28 HTB-72 human melanoma malignant melanoma HT-29 HTB-38 human colon colon adenocarcinoma LoVo CCL-229 human colon colon adenocarcinoma LoVo-Dox human colon colon adenocarcinoma (MDR) SW620 CCL-228 human colon colon adenocarcinoma (lymph node metastasis) DU-145 HTB-81 human prostate prostate carcinoma, not androgen receptors LNCaP CRL-1740 human prostate prostate adenocarcinoma, with androgen receptors SK-BR-3 HTB-30 human breast breast adenocarcinoma, Her2/neu+, (pleural effusion) MCF-7 HTB-22 human breast breast adenocarcinoma, (pleural effusion) MDA-MB-231 HTB-26 human breast breast adenocarcinoma, Her2/neu+, (pleural effusion) IGROV-1 human ovary ovary adenocarcinoma IGROV-ET human ovary ovary adenocarcinoma, characterized as ET-743 resistant cells SK-OV-3 HTB-77 human ovary ovary adenocarcinoma (malignant ascites) OVCAR-3 HTB-161 human ovary ovary adenocarcinoma HeLa CCL-2 human cervix cervix epitheloid carcinoma HeLa-APL CCL-3 human cervix cervix epitheloid carcinoma, characterized as aplidine resistant cells A-498 HTB-44 human kidney kidney carcinoma PANC-1 CRL-1469 human pancreas pancreatic epitheloid carcinoma HMEC1 human endothelium

1°. —Inhibition of Cell Growth by Counting Cells.

This form of the assay employs 24 well multidishes of 16 mm diameter (Bergeron, 1984; Schroeder, 1981). The tumor cell lines employed are: P-388 (ATCC CCL 46), suspension culture of a lymphoid neoplasm from a DBA/2 mouse; A-549 (ATCC CCL 185), monolayer culture of a human lung carcinoma; HT-29 (ATCC HTB-38), monolayer culture of a human colon carcinoma; MEL-28 (ATCC HTB-72), monolayer culture of a human melanoma and DU-145 (ATCC HTB-81), monolayer culture of a human prostate carcinoma.

Cells were maintained, in logarithmic phase of growth in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium, with Earle's Balanced Salts, with non-essential amino acids, with 2.0 mM L-Glutamine, without sodium bicarbonate (EMEM/neaa), supplemented with 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS), 10⁻² M. sodium bicarbonate and 0.1 U/l penicillin G+0.1 g/l streptomycin sulfate. For the experiments, cells are harvested from subconfluent cultures using trypsin and resuspended in fresh medium before plating.

P-388 cells were seeded into 16 mm diameter wells at 1×10⁴ cells per well in 1 ml aliquots of EMEM 5% FCS containing different concentrations of the sample to be tested. A separate set of cultures without drug was seeded as control of growth, to ensure that cells remained in exponential phase of growth. All determinations are carrying out in duplicate. After three days of incubation at 37° C., 5% CO₂ in a 98% humid atmosphere, an approximately IC50 was determined by comparing the growth in wells with drug to the growth in wells control.

A-549, HT-29, MEL-28 and DU-145 cells were seeded into 16 mm diameter wells at 1×10⁴ cells per well in 1 ml aliquots of EMEM 5% FCS containing different concentrations of the sample to be tested. A separate set of cultures without drug was seeded as control of growth, to ensure that cells remained in exponential phase of growth. All determinations are carrying out in duplicate. After three days of incubation at 37° C., 5% CO₂ in a 98% humid atmosphere cells were stained with 0.1% crystal violet. An approximately IC50 was determined by comparing the growth in wells with drug to the growth in wells control.

For quantifying the activity, after the incubation time, cells are trypsinized and counted in a Coulter Counter ZM. All counts (net cells per well), represent the average of duplicate wells. % G, percent of growth relative to cultures without drug. The results of these assays are used to generate dose-response curves from which more precise IC50 values are determined (sample concentration which produces 50% cell growth inhibition).

Obtained results may predict the usefulness of a certain drug as a potential cancer treatment. For this technique, compounds which show IC50 values smaller than 1 μg/ml are selected to continue with further studies. IC50's data allow to predict that not only if a drug could be cystostatic, but also if it could have a potential in terms of tumor reduction.

2°. —Inhibition of Cells Growth by Colorimetric Assay.

A colorimetric type of assay, using sulforhodamine B (SRB) reaction has been adapted for a quantitative measurement of cell growth and viability [following the technique described by Philip Skehan, et al. (1990), New colorimetric cytotoxicity assay for anticancer drug screening, J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 82:1107-1112]

This form of the assay employs 96 well cell culture microplates of 9 mm diameter (Faircloth, 1988; Mosmann, 1983). Most of the cell lines are obtained from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) derived from different human cancer types.

Cells are maintained in RPMI 1640 10% FBS, supplemented with 0.1 g/l penicillin and 0.1 g/l streptomycin sulfate and then incubated at 37° C., 5% CO₂ and 98% humidity. For the experiments, cells were harvested from subconfluent cultures using trypsin and resuspended in fresh medium before plating.

Cells are seeded in 96 well microtiter plates, at 5×10³ cells per well in aliquots of 195 μl medium, and they are allowed to attach to the plate surface by growing in drug free medium for 18 hours. Afterward, samples are added in aliquots of 5 μl in a ranging from 10 to 10⁻⁸ μg/ml, dissolved in DMSO/EtOH/PBS (0.5:0.5:99). After 48 hours exposure, the antitumor effect are measured by the SRB methodology: cells are fixed by adding 50 μl of cold 50% (wt/vol) trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and incubating for 60 minutes at 4° C. Plates are washed with deionized water and dried. One hundred μl of SRB solution (0.4% wt/vol in 1% acetic acid) is added to each microtiter well and incubated for 10 minutes at room temperature. Unbound SRB is removed by washing with 1% acetic acid. Plates are air dried and bound stain is solubilized with Tris buffer. Optical densities are read on a automated spectrophotometric plate reader at a single wavelength of 490 nm.

The values for mean+/−SD of data from triplicate wells are calculated. Some parameters for cellular responses can be calculated: GI=growth inhibition, TGI=total growth inhibition (cytostatic effect) and LC=cell killing (cytotoxic effect).

Obtained results may predict the usefulness of a certain drug as a potential cancer treatment. For this technique, compounds which show GI50 values smaller than 10 μg/ml are selected to continue with further studies. GI50's data allow to predict that not only could a drug be cystostatic, but also it could have a potential in terms of tumor reduction.

Activity Data (Molar) IC₅₀ 16 19 p388 1.63E−08 7.53E−10 a549 1.63E−08 7.53E−10 ht29 1.63E−08 7.53E−10 mel28 1.63E−08 7.53E−10 du145 7.53E−10 1 2 3 4 5 6 A549 GI₅₀ 1.53E−06 6.33E−07 4.18E−06 2.36E−06 7.21E−07 6.65E−06 TGI 6.07E−06 1.39E−06 1.30E−05 8.27E−06 2.40E−06 1.26E−05 LC₅₀ 1.92E−05 9.11E−06 1.32E−05 1.18E−05 8.41E−06 1.26E−05 HT29 GI₅₀ 1.11E−06 1.06E−06 4.01E−06 5.91E−07 4.81E−07 1.25E−05 TGI 1.92E−05 1.42E−05 1.23E−05 1.18E−06 1.20E−06 1.26E−05 LC₅₀ 1.92E−05 1.92E−05 1.32E−05 1.18E−05 6.01E−06 1.26E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 5.61E−07 5.98E−07 TGI 1.15E−06 1.27E−06 LC₅₀ 6.07E−06 5.31E−06 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 5.67E−07 8.97E−07 TGI 1.07E−06 3.13E−06 LC₅₀ 1.92E−06 1.92E−05 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LNCAP GI₅₀ 4.34E−07 5.92E−07 TGI 7.47E−07 1.11E−06 LC₅₀ 1.29E−06 2.76E−06 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 9.01E−07 9.26E−07 TGI 2.59E−06 2.26E−06 LC₅₀ 1.92E−05 1.82E−05 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 9.70E−07 1.06E−06 TGI 1.92E−05 1.92E−05 LC₅₀ 1.92E−05 1.92E−05 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 1.01E−06 7.78E−07 TGI 3.96E−06 1.75E−06 LC₅₀ 1.92E−05 1.92E−05 K562 GI₅₀ 3.61E−07 5.16E−07 TGI 7.99E−07 1.22E−06 LC₅₀ 1.77E−06 4.79E−06 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 8.87E−07 8.90E−07 TGI 4.36E−06 3.26E−06 LC₅₀ 1.92E−05 1.92E−05 LOVO GI₅₀ 9.32E−07 5.33E−07 TGI 4.00E−06 1.07E−06 LC₅₀ 1.92E−05 1.92E−06 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 6.17E−06 9.24E−07 TGI 1.92E−05 1.92E−05 LC₅₀ 1.92E−05 1.92E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 1.08E−06 7.63E−07 TGI 2.84E−06 1.45E−06 LC₅₀ 1.81E−05 9.80E−06 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 7.17E−07 4.79E−07 TGI 1.63E−06 8.44E−07 LC₅₀ 7.51E−06 1.49E−06 7 8 9 10 11 12 A549 GI₅₀ 1.87E−06 1.18E−05 1.64E−05 1.01E−03 1.19E−05 3.38E−07 TGI 3.51E−06 1.18E−05 1.64E−05 1.01E−03 1.19E−05 6.24E−07 LC₅₀ 6.61E−06 1.18E−05 1.64E−05 1.01E−03 1.19E−05 1.16E−06 HT29 GI₅₀ 9.18E−07 7.82E−06 1.64E−05 1.01E−03 1.19E−05 5.03E−07 TGI 2.40E−06 1.18E−05 1.64E−05 1.01E−03 1.19E−05 1.27E−06 LC₅₀ 5.46E−06 1.18E−05 1.64E−05 1.01E−03 1.19E−05 1.54E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 3.50E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 6.03E−07 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 1.03E−06 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 5.35E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 1.02E−06 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 4.22E−06 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ 2.15E−06 TGI 4.06E−06 LC₅₀ 7.63E−06 LNCAP GI₅₀ 5.84E−06 8.25E−08 TGI 1.19E−05 2.51E−07 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 7.11E−07 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 2.25E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 4.86E−07 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 1.05E−06 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 6.35E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 1.07E−06 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 3.82E−06 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 2.56E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 5.01E−07 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 9.79E−07 K562 GI₅₀ 4.76E−06 1.10E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 2.51E−06 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 1.54E−05 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 4.72E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 9.53E−07 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 4.07E−06 LOVO GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 3.99E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 8.08E−07 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 3.21E−06 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 5.04E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 9.71E−07 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 1.22E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 3.44E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 6.21E−07 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 1.12E−06 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 1.19E−05 2.44E−07 TGI 1.19E−05 4.72E−07 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 9.14E−07 13 14 15 17 18 20 A549 GI₅₀ 3.94E−06 2.23E−06 2.00E−09 2.29E−08 1.61E−07 2.52E−08 GI₅₀ 3.94E−06 2.23E−06 2.00E−09 2.29E−08 1.61E−07 2.52E−08 TGI 7.36E−06 5.11E−06 7.35E−09 5.21E−08 6.43E−07 4.91E−08 LC₅₀ 1.37E−05 1.17E−05 1.76E+07 1.19E−07 8.04E−06 9.55E−08 HT29 GI₅₀ 6.02E−06 1.77E−06 4.84E−10 3.91E−08 8.04E−08 6.50E−09 TGI 1.54E−05 6.39E−06 5.35E−09 8.60E−08 6.43E−07 5.36E−08 LC₅₀ 1.54E−05 1.25E−05 3.13E−06 1.27E−05 8.04E−05 6.67E−06 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 2.45E−08 TGI 4.71E−08 LC₅₀ 9.11E−08 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 1.59E−08 TGI 3.99E−08 LC₅₀ 1.47E−06 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ 4.74E−06 3.00E−06 5.56E−10 TGI 1.54E−05 1.25E−05 1.32E−08 LC₅₀ 1.54E−05 1.25E−05 4.44E−06 LNCAP GI₅₀ 7.28E−09 TGI 2.28E−08 LC₅₀ 5.89E−08 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 2.59E−08 TGI 5.63E−08 LC₅₀ 1.22E−07 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 2.77E−07 TGI 5.76E−07 LC₅₀ 1.20E−06 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 5.22E−09 TGI 1.45E−08 LC₅₀ 9.83E−08 K562 GI₅₀ 1.52E−09 TGI 9.11E−09 LC₅₀ 4.04E−07 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 3.71E−08 TGI 9.46E−08 LC₅₀ 3.11E−06 LOVO GI₅₀ 2.87E−08 TGI 5.76E−08 LC₅₀ 1.15E−07 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 5.02E−07 TGI 1.83E−06 LC₅₀ 1.47E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 3.45E−09 TGI 7.09E−09 LC₅₀ 1.46E−08 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 3.89E−09 TGI 8.09E−09 LC₅₀ 2.28E−08 21 22 23 24 25 26 A549 GI₅₀ 3.45E−06 2.67E−08 6.06E−08 2.19E−08 9.27E−07 1.16E−05 TGI 6.15E−06 5.90E−08 2.11E−07 4.62E−08 3.45E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.10E−05 1.31E−07 7.85E−07 9.74E−08 1.15E−05 1.16E−05 HT29 GI₅₀ 4.06E−06 2.97E−08 5.12E−08 5.17E−09 1.64E−06 1.16E−05 TGI 8.86E−06 8.25E−08 2.15E−07 1.39E−08 8.57E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.57E−05 1.31E−05 1.29E−05 1.45E−05 1.39E−05 1.16E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 3.02E−06 3.02E−08 2.47E−07 2.01E−08 6.32E−07 1.16E−05 TGI 5.35E−06 5.55E−08 4.60E−07 4.27E−08 1.77E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 9.49E−06 1.02E−07 8.57E−07 9.09E−08 5.65E−06 1.16E−05 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 3.40E−06 2.96E−08 5.85E−08 2.78E−08 8.61E−07 1.16E−05 TGI 6.07E−06 8.68E−08 1.43E−07 5.23E−08 2.20E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.09E−05 1.31E−06 4.45E−06 1.25E−07 6.57E−06 1.16E−05 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LNCAP GI₅₀ 2.58E−06 6.15E−09 1.53E−07 8.40E−09 3.23E−07 3.82E−06 TGI 4.72E−06 2.11E−08 3.18E−07 2.53E−08 7.57E−07 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 8.64E−06 5.50E−08 6.57E−07 6.44E−08 2.55E−06 1.16E−05 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 3.81E−06 1.91E−08 3.50E−07 8.21E−09 6.60E−07 6.84E−06 TGI 7.17E−06 4.46E−08 6.27E−07 3.18E−08 1.43E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.35E−05 1.04E−07 1.13E−06 1.10E−07 8.01E−06 1.16E−05 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 3.56E−06 5.22E−08 4.56E−07 2.95E−08 1.61E−06 1.16E−05 TGI 6.51E−06 1.04E−07 7.60E−07 6.20E−08 4.41E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.19E−05 1.31E−07 1.26E−06 1.30E−07 1.21E−05 1.16E−05 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 3.85E−06 5.77E−09 1.31E−08 2.48E−08 5.55E−07 4.23E−06 TGI 7.33E−06 2.23E−08 8.77E−08 6.38E−08 1.06E−06 9.20E−06 LC₅₀ 1.39E−05 1.20E−07 6.45E−07 2.69E−07 8.64E−06 1.16E−05 K562 GI₅₀ 3.52E−06 5.92E−09 2.03E−08 4.07E−09 3.16E−07 2.30E−06 TGI 7.76E−04 4.24E−08 7.33E−08 1.71E−08 7.75E−07 4.94E−06 LC₅₀ 1.57E−05 8.40E−07 1.40E−06 9.38E−08 3.78E−06 1.06E−05 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 3.21E−06 2.96E−08 5.09E−07 3.01E−08 1.37E−06 1.16E−05 TGI 6.62E−06 7.38E−08 1.26E−06 9.19E−08 3.90E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.37E−05 8.54E−07 1.29E−05 1.45E−05 1.10E−05 1.16E−05 LOVO GI₅₀ 3.30E−06 2.03E−08 2.76E−07 2.61E−08 9.38E−07 1.16E−05 TGI 6.20E−06 4.11E−08 5.22E−07 8.21E−08 3.16E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.16E−05 9.65E−08 9.83E−07 1.45E−05 9.27E−06 1.16E−05 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 4.88E−06 8.74E−08 6.61E−07 1.15E−07 9.04E−07 1.16E−05 TGI 1.24E−05 5.24E−07 7.46E−06 1.74E−06 3.77E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.57E−05 1.31E−05 1.29E−05 1.45E−05 1.39E−05 1.16E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 3.40E−06 3.32E−08 3.82E−08 2.03E−08 1.50E−06 1.16E−05 TGI 5.90E−06 5.66E−08 6.60E−08 4.76E−08 3.48E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.02E−05 1.58E−07 1.14E−07 1.12E−07 8.11E−06 1.16E−05 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 3.24E−06 2.11E−08 3.56E−08 2.03E−08 9.39E−07 1.16E−05 TGI 5.98E−06 4.44E−08 6.03E−08 4.65E−08 2.78E−06 1.16E−05 LC₅₀ 1.11E−05 9.35E−08 1.02E−07 1.07E−07 7.69E−06 1.16E−05 27 28 29 30 31 32 A549 GI₅₀ 6.26E−08 5.25E−08 4.80E−06 3.47E−09 1.83E−09 2.38E−06 TGI 2.06E−07 1.63E−07 1.14E−05 1.05E−08 5.97E−09 4.29E−06 LC₅₀ 1.89E−06 2.27E−06 1.14E−05 8.90E−08 9.21E−08 7.70E−06 HT29 GI₅₀ 7.56E−08 7.65E−08 1.14E−05 2.03E−09 1.97E−09 3.48E−06 TGI 1.42E−06 2.05E−06 1.14E−05 1.35E−08 1.62E−08 6.10E−06 LC₅₀ 1.42E−05 1.22E−05 1.14E−05 1.54E−05 3.68E−06 1.07E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 6.14E−08 5.68E−08 3.74E−06 1.09E−09 8.32E−10 2.41E−06 TGI 1.34E−07 1.35E−07 1.14E−05 3.66E−09 2.54E−09 4.14E−06 LC₅₀ 5.94E−07 6.92E−07 1.14E−05 1.07E−08 8.06E−09 7.13E−06 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 7.55E−08 3.58E−08 2.30E−06 2.63E−09 4.44E−10 2.48E−06 TGI 8.48E−07 1.27E−06 7.93E−06 7.44E−09 9.51E−10 4.83E−06 LC₅₀ 1.42E−05 1.22E−05 1.14E−05 1.41E−05 2.23E−06 9.39E−06 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LNCAP GI₅₀ 2.61E−08 2.29E−08 8.78E−07 9.68E−08 4.19E−10 1.77E−06 TGI 6.46E−08 5.04E−08 6.07E−06 1.20E−07 1.63E−08 3.36E−06 LC₅₀ 2.61E−07 1.11E−07 1.14E−05 1.47E−07 9.07E−08 6.41E−06 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 4.07E−08 4.90E−08 2.19E−06 6.95E−10 4.13E−10 1.97E−06 TGI 1.02E−07 1.55E−07 1.14E−05 3.32E−09 1.07E−09 3.91E−06 LC₅₀ 1.02E−06 1.57E−06 1.14E−05 2.31E−07 1.26E−08 7.74E−06 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 1.65E−07 1.38E−07 3.12E−06 2.54E−08 2.91E−09 2.85E−06 TGI 3.87E−07 3.52E−07 1.14E−05 8.24E−08 7.49E−09 5.24E−06 LC₅₀ 9.15E−07 8.98E−07 1.14E−05 1.54E−05 2.09E−06 9.67E−06 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 5.58E−08 4.73E−08 8.89E−07 5.27E−10 3.96E−10 2.63E−07 TGI 1.97E−07 1.64E−07 7.98E−06 2.29E−09 1.22E−09 1.66E−06 LC₅₀ 1.05E−06 1.22E−06 1.14E−05 2.67E−07 6.07E−08 7.52E−06 K562 GI₅₀ 2.17E−08 2.83E−08 6.29E−07 3.12E−10 2.26E−10 6.94E−07 TGI 5.66E−08 1.35E−07 3.90E−06 2.49E−09 7.92E−10 2.20E−06 LC₅₀ 2.06E−07 2.69E−06 1.14E−05 9.51E−06 1.26E−07 6.81E−06 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 9.28E−08 5.92E−08 6.55E−06 2.89E−09 8.07E−10 2.56E−06 TGI 1.45E−06 1.97E−07 1.14E−05 1.55E−08 6.68E−09 4.75E−06 LC₅₀ 1.42E−05 1.22E−05 1.14E−05 1.54E−05 1.77E−06 8.79E−06 LOVO GI₅₀ 8.04E−08 6.63E−08 2.85E−06 2.00E−09 6.88E−10 1.89E−06 TGI 2.36E−07 2.12E−07 1.14E−05 8.07E−09 3.49E−09 3.76E−06 LC₅₀ 7.07E−07 6.87E−07 1.14E−05 1.54E−05 1.82E−06 7.39E−06 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 4.31E−07 3.62E−07 4.09E−06 2.07E−07 9.05E−09 8.02E−07 TGI 1.42E−05 1.22E−06 1.14E−05 2.07E−06 1.48E−06 2.48E−06 LC₅₀ 1.42E−05 1.22E−05 1.14E−05 1.54E−05 7.21E−06 6.76E−06 HELA GI₅₀ 9.78E−08 3.86E−08 6.30E−06 1.15E−09 6.78E−10 2.53E−07 TGI 2.75E−07 7.55E−08 1.14E−05 4.53E−09 2.04E−09 4.18E−07 LC₅₀ 7.86E−07 2.89E−07 1.14E−05 2.17E−08 1.12E−08 6.89E−07 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 9.51E−08 5.59E−08 4.29E−06 1.86E−09 5.76E−10 3.39E−08 TGI 3.04E−07 1.30E−07 1.14E−05 5.50E−09 1.96E−09 6.05E−08 LC₅₀ 9.51E−07 6.82E−07 1.14E−05 1.95E−08 9.96E−09 1.08E−07 33 34 35 36 37 38 A549 GI₅₀ 2.62E−08 5.53E−08 2.93E−06 5.56E−09 2.64E−08 4.73E−07 TGI 6.24E−08 1.84E−07 5.96E−06 2.29E−08 7.13E−08 1.42E−06 LC₅₀ 1.49E−07 6.11E−07 1.21E−05 8.38E−08 8.75E−07 4.71E−06 HT29 GI₅₀ 1.73E−08 6.20E−08 6.02E−07 2.73E−09 2.90E−08 6.53E−07 TGI 2.71E−07 1.65E−07 8.18E−06 1.17E−08 2.62E−07 1.67E−06 LC₅₀ 9.81E−06 1.64E−06 1.44E−05 1.56E−05 1.05E−05 4.73E−06 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 1.28E−08 3.27E−08 3.90E−07 1.84E−09 1.41E−08 2.72E−07 TGI 3.67E−08 6.03E−08 8.63E−07 4.01E−09 3.42E−08 4.83E−07 LC₅₀ 9.79E−08 1.11E−07 3.19E−06 8.71E−09 8.21E−08 8.60E−07 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 8.02E−09 5.11E−08 5.70E−07 3.58E−09 7.50E−09 2.86E−07 TGI 1.56E−08 9.87E−08 1.20E−06 9.55E−09 1.48E−08 5.64E−07 LC₅₀ 4.41E−06 5.37E−08 1.03E−05 1.04E−05 4.43E−06 1.11E−06 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LNCAP GI₅₀ 2.86E−09 2.20E−08 1.89E−07 4.60E−10 2.86E−09 3.38E−07 TGI 5.64E−09 5.21E−08 3.97E−07 1.37E−09 5.26E−09 5.18E−07 LC₅₀ 1.11E−08 1.47E−07 8.34E−07 5.06E−09 9.67E−09 7.96E−07 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 9.85E−08 2.92E−08 4.20E−07 1.12E−09 7.24E−09 3.81E−07 TGI 4.26E−07 5.83E−08 1.69E−06 3.79E−09 2.63E−08 7.86E−07 LC₅₀ 1.58E−06 1.17E−07 8.63E−06 1.04E−08 1.81E−06 4.18E−06 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 8.95E−08 2.30E−06 2.77E−08 2.99E−08 3.65E−07 TGI 2.62E−07 6.35E−06 7.17E−08 1.04E−07 6.75E−07 LC₅₀ 8.60E−07 1.44E−05 1.56E−05 5.71E−06 1.48E−06 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 4.83E−09 1.27E−08 3.96E−07 2.87E−09 4.15E−09 1.94E−07 TGI 1.39E−08 7.01E−08 1.10E−06 6.65E−09 1.01E−08 4.57E−07 LC₅₀ 3.85E−07 6.26E−07 9.35E−06 1.54E−08 4.01E−07 1.07E−06 K562 GI₅₀ 5.49E−09 1.62E−08 1.93E−07 2.46E−10 5.05E−09 1.93E−07 TGI 1.59E−07 4.50E−08 1.13E−06 7.00E−10 1.37E−08 5.10E−07 LC₅₀ 2.83E−06 1.46E−07 9.77E−06 5.11E−09 7.37E−07 1.54E−06 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 1.99E−08 5.11E−08 4.71E−07 2.82E−09 3.09E−08 6.16E−07 TGI 1.22E−07 1.23E−07 1.41E−06 9.72E−09 9.57E−08 1.38E−06 LC₅₀ 4.51E−06 8.41E−07 1.44E−05 2.60E−06 2.69E−06 4.50E−06 LOVO GI₅₀ 1.99E−08 2.87E−08 5.64E−07 2.12E−09 1.62E−08 3.58E−07 TGI 5.36E−08 5.32E−08 2.14E−06 5.91E−09 1.18E−07 7.93E−07 LC₅₀ 1.45E−07 9.86E−08 1.44E−05 1.56E−08 6.40E−06 2.51E−06 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 3.67E−07 1.40E−07 5.75E−06 2.46E−07 8.68E−08 1.54E−06 TGI 9.40E−07 4.10E−07 1.44E−05 1.09E−06 8.97E−07 3.08E−06 LC₅₀ 5.90E−06 1.20E−05 1.44E−05 1.56E−05 6.96E−06 6.15E−06 HELA GI₅₀ 5.02E−09 3.35E−08 3.96E−07 1.46E−09 4.04E−09 3.17E−07 TGI 1.61E−08 6.24E−08 8.37E−07 3.85E−09 8.55E−09 5.45E−07 LC₅₀ 9.69E−08 1.16E−07 3.39E−06 9.82E−09 4.73E−08 9.35E−07 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 5.24E−09 3.39E−08 4.58E−07 1.85E−09 7.10E−09 2.95E−07 TGI 1.91E−08 6.05E−08 1.09E−06 4.30E−09 2.06E−08 5.49E−07 LC₅₀ 1.15E−07 1.08E−07 5.92E−06 1.00E−08 7.70E−08 1.02E−06 39 40 41 42 43 44 A549 GI₅₀ 8.49E−09 1.95E−07 4.31E−08 5.74E−08 2.61E−08 2.74E−08 TGI 4.51E−08 4.47E−07 7.35E−08 1.47E−07 6.21E−08 5.67E−08 LC₅₀ 1.49E−06 1.03E−06 1.25E−07 2.37E−06 1.48E−07 4.70E−07 HT29 GI₅₀ 5.34E−09 3.37E−07 4.27E−08 3.97E−08 2.42E−08 3.88E−08 TGI 1.97E−07 1.05E−06 1.20E−07 1.31E−07 1.90E−07 1.54E−06 LC₅₀ 3.77E−06 3.84E−06 1.47E−05 1.65E−05 1.67E−05 1.11E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 3.03E−09 1.62E−07 3.37E−08 3.01E−08 9.09E−09 2.34E−08 TGI 5.43E−09 3.34E−07 6.45E−08 5.68E−08 3.27E−08 4.59E−08 LC₅₀ 9.76E−09 6.88E−07 1.23E−07 1.07E−07 9.10E−08 9.01E−08 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 3.52E−09 5.63E−06 4.53E−08 3.74E−08 1.36E−08 2.34E−08 TGI 9.85E−09 1.60E−07 7.55E−08 8.25E−08 6.70E−08 7.19E−08 LC₅₀ 2.01E−06 1.63E−06 2.74E−07 2.47E−07 2.92E−06 1.11E−05 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LNCAP GI₅₀ 7.35E−10 4.81E−08 9.50E−40 5.96E−09 6.58E−09 4.53E−09 TGI 2.49E−09 1.62E−07 3.14E−08 2.24E−08 2.02E−08 2.04E−08 LC₅₀ 6.73E−09 5.09E−07 9.28E−08 6.37E−08 8.87E−08 4.80E−08 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 3.13E−09 9.13E−08 1.57E−08 2.86E−08 1.06E−08 3.26E−08 TGI 7.47E−09 3.17E−07 4.37E−08 6.63E−08 4.96E−08 7.80E−08 LC₅₀ 5.26E−07 1.28E−06 1.21E−07 1.53E−07 3.84E−07 1.11E−05 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 4.19E−08 2.89E−07 4.18E−08 2.80E−07 6.85E−08 4.92E−08 TGI 8.86E−08 5.33E−07 8.71E−08 1.02E−06 3.69E−07 4.43E−07 LC₅₀ 2.44E−06 9.80E−07 1.47E−05 1.65E−05 5.80E−06 1.11E−05 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 2.68E−09 4.26E−08 3.23E−08 5.83E−09 3.27E−09 TGI 6.98E−09 9.76E−08 7.22E−08 2.42E−08 1.19E−08 LC₅₀ 5.57E−08 5.24E−07 3.52E−07 1.64E−07 7.61E−08 K562 GI₅₀ 1.06E−09 4.14E−08 2.04E−08 1.78E−08 3.11E−09 7.97E−09 TGI 5.58E−09 1.31E−07 5.05E−08 5.96E−08 1.38E−08 7.79E−08 LC₅₀ 6.98E−07 7.76E−07 1.25E−07 6.94E−07 8.95E−07 1.11E−05 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 4.91E−09 3.21E−07 3.77E−08 3.90E−08 2.29E−08 7.52E−08 TGI 1.47E−08 7.47E−07 1.00E−07 1.15E−08 8.27E−08 3.44E−07 LC₅₀ 2.36E−06 2.57E−06 1.47E−05 5.27E−06 2.15E−06 1.11E−05 LOVO GI₅₀ 3.72E−09 2.13E−07 3.78E−08 3.77E−08 3.12E−08 3.39E−08 TGI 9.00E−09 5.52E−07 9.40E−08 7.26E−08 8.67E−08 1.43E−07 LC₅₀ 9.71E−07 1.68E−06 1.47E−05 2.93E−06 1.67E−05 1.11E−05 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 3.26E−07 3.54E−07 2.70E−07 5.15E−07 4.23E−07 2.97E−07 TGI 9.12E−07 8.10E−07 1.18E−06 1.44E−06 1.15E−06 9.19E−07 LC₅₀ 4.12E−06 2.79E−06 1.47E−05 1.65E−05 1.67E−05 1.11E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 2.84E−09 1.11E−07 2.82E−08 2.81E−08 9.39E−09 2.02E−08 TGI 5.69E−09 2.76E−07 5.81E−08 6.25E−08 3.99E−08 4.20E−08 LC₅₀ 1.14E−08 6.61E−07 1.20E−07 1.39E−07 1.45E−07 8.75E−08 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 2.76E−09 1.53E−07 3.01E−08 3.46E−08 2.41E−08 2.50E−08 TGI 5.20E−09 3.44E−07 6.31E−08 6.70E−08 7.32E−08 5.96E−08 LC₅₀ 9.82E−09 7.75E−07 1.32E−07 1.30E−07 4.23E−07 3.52E−07 45 46 47 48 49 50 A549 GI₅₀ 1.62E−07 2.89E−08 1.02E−05 8.10E−06 1.84E−07 3.76E−06 TGI 4.13E−07 6.18E−08 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 4.31E−07 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 1.50E−06 2.77E−06 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 1.01E−06 1.13E−05 HT29 GI₅₀ 8.36E−08 4.29E−08 1.02E−05 6.71E−06 1.94E−07 8.90E−06 TGI 1.41E−06 1.17E−07 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 5.88E−07 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 1.00E−05 1.17E−05 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 1.13E−05 1.13E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 1.17E−07 2.96E−08 8.70E−06 3.19E−06 1.81E−07 2.53E−06 TGI 2.85E−07 5.64E−08 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 3.56E−07 8.36E−06 LC₅₀ 6.89E−07 1.07E−07 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 7.01E−07 1.13E−05 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 3.59E−08 2.34E−08 4.12E−06 2.55E−06 1.07E−07 1.80E−06 TGI 1.03E−07 4.96E−08 1.02E−05 6.26E−06 1.25E−06 9.18E−04 LC₅₀ 1.00E−05 1.05E−07 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 1.13E−05 1.13E−03 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LNCAP GI₅₀ 3.83E−09 1.47E−08 4.49E−07 1.67E−06 4.05E−08 9.48E−07 TGI 1.73E−08 2.96E−08 2.92E−06 3.24E−06 1.75E−07 3.68E−06 LC₅₀ 5.15E−08 5.92E−08 1.02E−05 6.31E−06 4.42E−07 1.13E−05 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 5.69E−08 2.99E−08 4.22E−06 3.52E−06 1.65E−07 2.42E−06 TGI 3.92E−07 7.24E−08 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 4.32E−07 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 1.00E−05 1.17E−05 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 1.13E−06 1.13E−03 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 8.65E−08 2.85E−07 4.92E−06 3.72E−06 2.80E−07 3.29E−06 TGI 4.97E−07 1.35E−06 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 6.16E−07 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 1.00E−05 1.17E−05 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 1.13E−05 1.13E−05 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 2.83E−09 1.86E−08 3.01E−07 6.82E−07 4.96E−08 1.31E−05 TGI 7.56E−09 5.32E−08 1.37E−06 4.00E−06 1.86E−06 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 1.33E−07 2.47E−07 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 1.13E−05 1.13E−05 K562 GI₅₀ 1.76E−08 2.30E−08 1.73E−07 5.15E−07 3.77E−08 8.91E−07 TGI 1.50E−07 6.48E−08 2.32E−06 2.73E−06 3.11E−07 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 1.00E−05 4.25E−06 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 5.10E−06 1.13E−05 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 2.29E−07 6.19E−08 1.02E−05 4.42E−06 1.79E−07 2.45E−06 TGI 1.24E−06 3.98E−07 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 5.64E−07 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 1.00E−05 1.17E−05 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 3.92E−06 1.13E−05 LOVO GI₅₀ 1.30E−07 5.53E−08 9.16E−06 4.01E−06 2.50E−07 4.94E−06 TGI 2.83E−07 3.04E−07 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 4.71E−07 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 6.14E−07 1.17E−05 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 8.90E−07 1.13E−05 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 4.79E−07 4.26E−07 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 6.72E−07 1.01E−05 TGI 3.14E−06 1.35E−06 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 1.13E−05 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 1.00E−05 1.17E−05 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 1.13E−05 1.13E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 1.64E−08 2.64E−08 4.10E−06 2.17E−06 1.89E−07 3.75E−06 TGI 3.62E−08 5.01E−08 1.02E−05 5.11E−06 4.18E−07 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 7.97E−08 9.74E−08 1.02E−05 1.02E−05 9.29E−07 1.13E−05 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 2.84E−08 2.77E−08 3.74E−06 1.87E−06 1.82E−07 3.11E−06 TGI 1.21E−07 5.20E−08 1.02E−05 3.83E−06 3.57E−07 1.13E−05 LC₅₀ 7.83E−07 9.78E−08 1.02E−05 7.87E−06 7.01E−07 1.13E−05 51 52 53 54 55 56 A549 GI₅₀ 2.85E−09 8.01E−09 3.34E−09 2.02E−08 6.84E−08 3.02E−08 TGI 6.59E−09 5.78E−08 8.17E−09 6.63E−08 2.86E−07 6.87E−08 LC₅₀ 5.42E−07 9.73E−07 2.21E−06 6.36E−07 1.22E−06 7.05E−07 HT29 GI₅₀ 5.24E−09 6.14E−09 4.33E−09 2.99E−08 7.57E−08 4.88E−08 TGI 2.37E−06 1.25E−06 1.83E−08 1.23E−07 1.81E−06 5.71E−07 LC₅₀ 1.18E−08 7.78E−06 2.74E−06 1.20E−05 1.27E−05 1.20E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 2.71E−09 4.07E−09 2.21E−09 1.55E−08 8.86E−08 2.63E−08 TGI 4.64E−09 1.55E−08 4.00E−09 3.61E−08 2.65E−07 4.90E−08 LC₅₀ 7.94E−09 5.27E−08 7.20E−09 8.39E−08 6.98E−07 9.14E−08 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ GI₅₀ 5.24E−09 4.92E−09 3.58E−09 3.76E−09 5.90E−08 4.10E−08 DU145 GI₅₀ 5.24E−09 4.92E−09 3.58E−09 3.76E−09 5.90E−08 4.10E−08 TGI 1.63E−08 1.93E−08 2.43E−08 2.20E−08 2.47E−07 1.01E−07 LC₅₀ 1.18E−05 5.14E−06 3.04E−06 1.20E−05 1.27E−05 1.20E−05 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LNCAP GI₅₀ 2.31E−09 2.39E−09 1.87E−09 7.42E−09 1.71E−08 1.22E−08 TGI 3.96E−09 4.66E−09 3.95E−09 2.93E−08 3.60E−08 2.88E−08 LC₅₀ 6.82E−09 9.06E−09 8.33E−09 1.09E−07 7.57E−08 6.77E−08 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 3.35E−09 7.32E−09 2.74E−09 6.56E−09 6.92E−08 3.42E−08 TGI 6.45E−09 4.33E−08 6.72E−09 3.94E−08 2.71E−07 6.93E−08 LC₅₀ 1.18E−04 3.06E−06 2.74E−06 3.37E−06 1.58E−06 1.06E−06 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 4.36E−08 3.95E−08 1.02E−08 3.70E−08 2.48E−07 4.02E−08 TGI 1.18E−07 1.19E−07 1.40E−06 1.20E−07 6.24E−07 7.97E−08 LC₅₀ 1.18E−05 8.53E−06 6.45E−06 1.20E−05 4.18E−06 1.20E−05 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 5.05E−09 6.18E−09 2.95E−09 1.27E−08 5.71E−09 TGI 3.44E−07 2.58E−07 2.99E−08 1.54E−07 1.86E−08 LC₅₀ 1.18E−05 1.19E−05 1.82E−06 1.20E−05 4.22E−07 K562 GI₅₀ 3.15E−09 4.51E−09 1.54E−09 1.88E−09 5.84E−08 6.89E−09 TGI 7.75E−09 2.13E−08 1.30E−08 5.18E−09 2.72E−07 8.68E−08 LC₅₀ 6.53E−07 8.06E−08 5.83E−07 2.70E−06 1.04E−06 1.20E−05 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 3.53E−09 2.15E−08 3.36E−09 2.30E−08 1.48E−07 9.02E−08 TGI 7.73E−09 6.24E−08 1.01E−08 6.48E−08 1.90E−06 9.53E−07 LC₅₀ 5.20E−07 6.10E−07 1.44E−06 5.31E−06 1.27E−05 1.20E−05 LOVO GI₅₀ 3.93E−09 9.17E−09 3.82E−09 3.85E−09 1.51E−07 2.30E−08 TGI 8.86E−09 2.96E−08 8.54E−09 1.44E−08 3.56E−07 4.82E−08 LC₅₀ 1.18E−05 8.57E−08 2.94E−06 1.20E−05 8.37E−07 1.01E−07 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 3.52E−07 2.73E−07 5.79E−08 3.38E−07 3.33E−07 3.33E−07 TGI 1.18E−05 1.19E−05 1.45E−06 1.20E−05 1.57E−06 1.33E−06 LC₅₀ 1.18E−05 1.19E−05 5.24E−06 1.20E−05 1.27E−05 1.20E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 3.43E−09 5.98E−09 3.12E−09 2.19E−08 1.48E−07 2.71E−08 TGI 6.63E−09 2.25E−08 7.55E−09 6.41E−08 3.63E−07 5.31E−08 LC₅₀ 1.55E−08 1.85E−06 8.39E−08 3.76E−07 8.87E−07 1.04E−07 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 3.49E−09 7.05E−09 2.99E−09 1.33E−08 1.11E−07 2.59E−08 TGI 6.18E−09 2.14E−08 1.22E−08 1.43E−07 3.23E−07 5.83E−08 LC₅₀ 1.09E−08 9.23E−08 3.89E−08 4.59E−07 9.15E−07 2.04E−07 57 58 59 60 61 62 A549 GI₅₀ 3.74E−08 2.16E−07 1.59E−08 3.60E−09 2.43E−08 4.56E−09 TGI 1.01E−07 5.17E−07 4.85E−08 1.31E−08 5.01E−08 1.65E−08 LC₅₀ 1.50E−06 1.24E−06 2.73E−07 7.60E−08 1.04E−07 3.34E−07 HT29 GI₅₀ 4.46E−08 2.97E−07 3.83E−09 2.28E−09 6.58E−09 4.03E−09 TGI 4.38E−06 1.54E−06 1.60E−08 1.31E−08 1.40E−06 2.83E−07 LC₅₀ 1.22E−05 1.24E−05 4.28E−06 1.28E−05 1.31E−05 1.25E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 2.93E−08 2.41E−07 3.56E−09 1.91E−09 6.19E−09 2.46E−09 TGI 5.56E−08 4.69E−07 1.10E−08 4.27E−09 1.88E−08 4.92E−09 LC₅₀ 1.06E−07 9.69E−07 3.04E−06 9.55E−09 6.07E−08 9.78E−09 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 5.21E−08 4.68E−08 4.09E−09 1.80E−09 5.14E−09 3.30E−09 TGI 1.22E−05 8.88E−08 1.02E−08 1.36E−06 9.34E−09 1.04E−08 LC₅₀ 1.22E−05 1.24E−05 1.64E−06 7.13E−06 7.97E−06 3.59E−06 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LNCAP GI₅₀ 1.51E−08 2.99E−08 1.03E−09 4.15E−10 1.17E−09 3.01E−09 TGI 3.23E−08 7.16E−08 2.67E−09 1.42E−09 2.94E−09 5.03E−09 LC₅₀ 6.93E−08 2.40E−07 6.43E−09 5.03E−09 6.92E−09 8.40E−09 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 2.88E−08 9.39E−08 3.01E−09 1.38E−09 4.82E−09 2.59E−09 TGI 6.60E−08 3.05E−07 7.33E−09 4.03E−09 9.64E−09 6.55E−09 LC₅₀ 6.48E−06 1.04E−06 1.10E−07 1.18E−08 5.25E−07 3.90E−06 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 2.52E−07 1.88E−07 4.48E−09 2.09E−08 2.25E−07 2.66E−08 TGI 5.44E−07 4.22E−07 1.07E−07 5.31E−08 7.12E−07 6.95E−08 LC₅₀ 1.17E−06 9.49E−07 3.04E−06 2.89E−06 4.77E−06 2.92E−06 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 6.42E−09 2.09E−08 4.31E−10 4.28E−09 1.01E−09 TGI 3.18E−08 7.50E−08 1.22E−09 9.00E−09 4.74E−09 LC₅₀ 3.82E−07 2.55E−06 4.22E−08 2.45E−07 1.03E−07 K562 GI₅₀ 8.82E−09 2.64E−08 1.80E−09 8.09E−10 2.56E−09 1.94E−09 TGI 8.88E−08 9.42E−08 9.83E−09 1.32E−08 8.62E−09 1.10E−08 LC₅₀ 1.22E−05 1.24E−05 3.29E−06 8.57E−06 6.42E−07 6.02E−06 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 5.29E−08 3.79E−07 4.76E−09 3.31E−09 4.69E−09 3.86E−09 TGI 1.34E−06 1.27E−06 4.23E−08 1.19E−08 1.54E−08 1.35E−08 LC₅₀ 1.22E−05 1.24E−05 3.75E−06 1.28E−05 1.31E−05 4.75E−06 LOVO GI₅₀ 8.59E−08 1.39E−07 5.80E−09 3.27E−09 1.71E−08 5.03E−09 TGI 2.74E−07 2.85E−07 2.33E−08 8.23E−09 7.09E−08 1.79E−08 LC₅₀ 8.77E−07 5.81E−07 1.19E−06 2.90E−06 8.23E−06 1.54E−06 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 7.74E−07 4.83E−07 1.23E−07 1.63E−07 4.95E−07 1.36E−07 TGI 6.22E−06 2.26E−06 7.09E−07 7.57E−07 1.76E−06 5.58E−07 LC₅₀ 1.22E−05 1.24E−05 3.93E−06 1.28E−05 1.31E−05 1.31E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 2.68E−08 3.94E−08 2.44E−09 1.03E−09 3.56E−09 2.37E−09 TGI 5.64E−08 7.08E−08 5.08E−09 3.41E−09 6.49E−09 5.11E−09 LC₅₀ 1.12E−07 1.65E−07 1.06E−08 1.28E−08 1.18E−08 1.10E−08 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 2.23E−08 6.10E−08 3.32E−09 1.37E−09 2.98E−09 2.30E−09 TGI 5.05E−08 1.90E−07 7.69E−09 3.58E−09 5.60E−09 4.88E−09 LC₅₀ 1.15E−07 1.16E−06 5.92E−08 9.27E−09 1.05E−08 1.03E−08 63 64 65 66 67 68 A549 GI₅₀ 2.40E−08 5.19E−09 2.29E−08 7.62E−09 3.27E−08 2.81E−08 TGI 6.14E−08 3.66E−08 5.60E−08 3.97E−08 6.87E−08 1.13E−07 LC₅₀ 2.73E−07 1.12E−06 3.13E−07 8.74E−07 7.97E−07 6.29E−06 HT29 GI₅₀ 9.17E−09 3.58E−09 4.51E−09 5.86E−09 3.79E−08 6.66E−09 TGI 3.27E−07 1.32E−08 1.96E−07 1.81E−07 1.02E−07 1.50E−08 LC₅₀ 1.35E−05 1.30E−05 1.32E−05 1.32E−05 1.19E−05 1.42E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 5.64E−09 2.65E−09 3.78E−09 5.34E−09 2.04E−08 5.45E−09 TGI 1.70E−08 6.24E−09 1.08E−08 1.89E−08 4.53E−08 1.57E−08 LC₅₀ 5.26E−08 2.05E−08 4.20E−08 7.45E−08 1.00E−07 5.21E−08 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 3.48E−09 2.89E−09 2.63E−09 3.39E−09 3.59E−08 4.68E−09 TGI 7.24E−09 1.53E−07 6.45E−09 1.60E−09 7.54E−08 1.50E−09 LC₅₀ 4.40E−06 1.30E−05 4.77E−06 3.86E−06 3.50E−06 1.42E−05 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LNCAP GI₅₀ 2.86E−09 1.02E−09 8.75E−10 1.99E−09 3.00E−09 1.59E−09 TGI 5.36E−09 2.67E−09 2.54E−09 3.83E−09 9.00E−09 3.70E−09 LC₅₀ 1.00E−08 6.12E−09 6.16E−09 7.39E−09 3.74E−08 8.64E−09 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ 5.40E−09 1.78E−09 4.07E−09 2.99E−09 3.12E−08 3.94E−09 TGI 1.50E−08 4.41E−09 1.14E−08 6.76E−09 7.86E−08 8.01E−09 LC₅₀ 4.49E−09 1.09E−08 2.99E−06 1.60E−07 6.85E−07 3.51E−08 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 7.59E−08 3.48E−08 7.60E−08 3.83E−08 2.68E−08 2.90E−07 TGI 5.37E−07 1.71E−07 4.06E−07 1.79E−07 6.27E−08 1.66E−06 LC₅₀ 1.33E−05 8.30E−06 3.30E−06 5.59E−06 2.68E−06 8.63E−06 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 3.93E−09 7.17E−10 2.97E−09 6.50E−09 8.71E−09 7.20E−09 TGI 8.98E−09 1.50E−07 7.66E−09 3.31E−07 3.74E−08 1.53E−07 LC₅₀ 1.98E−07 1.30E−05 2.09E−07 1.32E−05 2.84E−07 1.42E−05 K562 GI₅₀ 3.86E−09 8.60E−10 1.22E−09 4.33E−09 3.39E−08 2.65E−09 TGI 7.92E−09 4.71E−09 1.39E−08 1.25E−08 3.97E−08 6.60E−09 LC₅₀ 6.34E−07 8.12E−07 7.80E−06 4.84E−07 2.09E−06 2.34E−07 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 4.60E−09 2.46E−09 3.99E−09 4.57E−09 2.74E−08 3.90E−09 TGI 1.74E−08 1.09E−08 1.23E−08 2.34E−08 9.27E−08 1.28E−08 LC₅₀ 4.27E−06 1.30E−05 4.25E−06 6.40E−06 2.78E−06 2.07E−06 LOVO GI₅₀ 8.63E−09 4.15E−09 6.78E−09 5.27E−09 2.86E−08 1.20E−08 TGI 5.48E−08 1.03E−08 3.69E−08 2.09E−08 7.30E−08 4.80E−08 LC₅₀ 1.35E−05 1.25E−05 2.96E−06 4.35E−06 1.06E−05 1.93E−06 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 3.98E−07 3.20E−07 3.99E−07 3.70E−07 3.68E−07 4.72E−07 TGI 1.09E−06 2.76E−06 1.05E−06 1.89E−06 9.75E−07 1.42E−05 LC₅₀ 1.35E−05 1.30E−05 1.32E−05 1.32E−05 1.27E−05 1.42E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 3.16E−09 2.40E−09 2.34E−09 2.41E−09 3.02E−08 4.00E−09 TGI 6.29E−09 4.89E−09 4.82E−09 4.68E−09 6.74E−08 7.06E−09 LC₅₀ 1.25E−08 1.00E−08 9.99E−09 9.07E−09 3.95E−07 1.24E−08 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 1.10E−08 2.39E−09 2.00E−09 3.05E−09 2.97E−08 3.81E−09 TGI 3.98E−08 4.80E−09 4.10E−09 6.24E−09 6.47E−08 6.32E−09 LC₅₀ 1.50E−07 9.63E−09 8.46E−09 1.27E−08 3.27E−07 1.04E−08 69 70 71 72 73 74 A549 GI₅₀ 5.57E−06 5.06E−06 2.11E−06 5.19E−08 3.25E−06 2.64E−06 TGI 2.23E−05 5.06E−05 1.05E−05 1.04E−07 6.05E−06 7.09E−06 LC₅₀ 5.57E−05 5.06E−05 3.16E−05 4.15E−06 1.13E−05 1.61E−05 HT29 GI₅₀ 1.11E−06 1.01E−05 5.27E−06 1.04E−06 5.65E−06 5.32E−07 TGI 1.11E−06 1.01E−05 5.27E−06 1.04E−06 1.23E−05 1.61E−06 LC₅₀ 1.11E−05 5.06E−05 5.27E−05 5.19E−06 1.23E−05 1.61E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ 6.65E−06 2.64E−07 TGI 1.23E−05 4.33E−06 LC₅₀ 1.23E−05 1.61E−05 LNCAP GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ SK-OV3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ IGROV-ET GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ SK-BR3 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ K562 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ PANC-1 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LOVO GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ HELA GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ HELA-APL GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ 75 76 77 ET729 ET594 ET770 A549 GI₅₀ 8.89E−07 4.13E−07 3.01E−07 1.82E−08 4.90E−08 3.24E−09 TGI 4.01E−06 8.40E−07 7.28E−07 5.71E−08 1.31E−07 6.98E−09 LC₅₀ 1.27E−05 4.65E−06 3.65E−06 1.34E−06 6.54E−07 5.20E−06 HT29 GI₅₀ 3.30E−07 6.27E−07 1.89E−07 2.05E−09 4.90E−08 5.86E−09 TGI 9.33E−07 1.30E−06 9.08E−07 1.91E−08 9.80E−08 1.30E−08 LC₅₀ 1.61E−05 1.30E−05 1.31E−05 1.34E−05 1.63E−06 1.30E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ 3.27E−08 TGI 9.80E−08 LC₅₀ 3.27E−06 MEL-28 GI₅₀ 2.38E−07 6.31E−08 7.52E−10 3.27E−08 2.63E−09 TGI 5.49E−07 1.75E−07 2.11E−09 6.54E−08 5.34E−09 LC₅₀ 1.27E−06 7.56E−07 7.07E−09 1.31E−07 1.08E−08 OVCAR GI₅₀ 3.27E−08 TGI 1.14E−07 LC₅₀ 1.63E−05 A498 GI₅₀ 8.17E−08 TGI 3.27E−07 LC₅₀ 1.14E−05 DU145 GI₅₀ 4.92E−07 3.01E−07 5.68E−10 3.27E−08 4.16E−09 TGI 1.34E−06 1.16E−06 3.17E−09 8.17E−08 3.20E−08 LC₅₀ 1.30E−05 1.31E−05 1.34E−05 1.63E−07 1.30E−05 MCF GI₅₀ 3.27E−08 TGI 9.80E−08 LC₅₀ 3.27E−06 MB231 GI₅₀ 3.27E−08 TGI 1.14E−07 LC₅₀ 1.63E−06 H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ 2.79E−07 TGI 1.64E−06 LC₅₀ 1.61E−05 LNCAP GI₅₀ 4.66E−08 4.35E−08 3.69E−10 1.48E−09 TGI 8.07E−08 7.10E−08 8.68E−10 3.06E−09 LC₅₀ 2.57E−07 1.18E−07 3.77E−09 6.34E−09 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ 5.47E−07 4.39E−07 TGI 1.90E−06 4.86E−06 LC₅₀ 1.30E−05 1.31E−05 IGROV GI₅₀ 1.97E−07 5.80E−08 4.13E−10 3.32E−09 TGI 6.48E−07 2.72E−07 9.86E−10 8.51E−09 LC₅₀ 5.25E−06 6.32E−06 7.45E−09 1.30E−05 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 5.13E−07 6.52E−07 2.54E−08 1.21E−08 TGI 9.24E−07 1.70E−06 6.19E−08 4.50E−06 LC₅₀ 1.30E−06 1.31E−05 1.34E−05 1.30E−05 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 3.98E−40 9.86E−10 TGI 8.60E−10 9.48E−08 LC₅₀ 7.11E−09 1.30E−05 K562 GI₅₀ 2.69E−08 1.66E−08 5.99E−10 1.65E−09 TGI 1.30E−07 1.01E−07 2.97E−09 8.02E−09 LC₅₀ 1.30E−05 1.31E−05 2.74E−06 6.63E−06 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 6.95E−07 4.18E−07 1.05E−09 5.53E−09 TGI 4.97E−06 2.72E−06 5.32E−09 1.15E−07 LC₅₀ 1.30E−05 1.31E−05 1.34E−06 1.30E−05 LOVO GI₅₀ 2.74E−07 2.41E−07 2.01E−09 3.09E−09 TGI 6.83E−07 9.17E−07 6.50E−09 5.93E−09 LC₅₀ 1.30E−06 1.31E−05 1.34E−05 1.14E−08 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 2.66E−06 9.29E−07 2.05E−07 7.41E−08 TGI 8.13E−06 5.66E−06 6.98E−07 1.30E−05 LC₅₀ 1.30E−05 1.31E−05 1.34E−05 1.30E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 3.33E−10 5.09E−09 TGI 6.75E−10 1.26E−08 LC₅₀ 1.78E−09 1.86E−07 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 3.41E−10 2.96E−09 TGI 6.79E−10 6.01E−09 LC₅₀ 1.58E−09 1.22E−08 ET637- ET594- ET736- ET743 ET745 ET759B quinone quinone quinone A549 GI₅₀ 2.52E−09 7.43E−07 2.62E−08 4.42E−09 2.35E−06 2.56E−08 TGI 5.51E−09 4.77E−06 6.13E−08 1.09E−08 4.91E−06 5.29E−08 LC₅₀ 1.21E−08 1.34E−05 7.02E−07 5.15E−08 1.03E−05 1.09E−07 HT29 GI₅₀ 3.41E−09 5.22E−07 4.19E−08 3.32E−09 6.53E−07 5.12E−08 TGI 1.11E−08 2.65E−06 2.29E−06 7.78E−09 1.71E−06 1.28E−07 LC₅₀ 1.31E−05 1.34E−05 1.29E−05 2.26E−06 1.63E−05 1.30E−05 SW-620 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MEL-28 GI₅₀ 7.42E−10 6.02E−07 1.97E−08 2.96E−09 4.13E−07 1.23E−07 TGI 3.06E−09 2.21E−06 4.91E−08 5.34E−09 7.38E−07 3.00E−07 LC₅₀ 1.12E−08 8.62E−06 1.23E−07 9.61E−09 1.32E−06 7.18E−07 OVCAR GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ A498 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ DU145 GI₅₀ 6.18E−10 4.88E−07 3.91E−07 3.74E−09 1.99E−06 4.51E−08 TGI 1.29E−09 2.67E−06 3.20E−06 6.30E−09 5.39E−06 7.63E−08 LC₅₀ 4.33E−06 1.34E−05 1.19E−05 1.53E−08 1.46E−05 1.29E−07 MCF GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ MB231 GI₅₀ TGI LC₅₀ H-MEC-1 GI₅₀ 9.03E−09 6.34E−07 TGI 6.88E−08 3.67E−06 LC₅₀ 1.31E−05 1.34E−05 LNCAP GI₅₀ 2.30E−10 6.52E−07 4.64E−09 1.78E−09 2.74E−07 2.48E−08 TGI 5.29E−10 2.39E−06 1.67E−08 3.64E−09 4.98E−07 4.46E−08 LC₅₀ 1.22E−09 9.81E−06 5.22E−08 7.44E−09 9.01E−07 7.99E−08 SK-OV3 GI₅₀ 1.31E−09 1.32E−06 TGI 1.30E−08 5.48E−06 LC₅₀ 1.31E−05 1.34E−05 IGROV GI₅₀ 5.79E−10 7.74E−07 2.29E−08 2.76E−09 4.52E−07 6.71E−08 TGI 2.60E−09 3.26E−06 6.52E−08 5.80E−09 9.58E−07 2.15E−07 LC₅₀ 1.03E−08 1.34E−05 1.00E−05 1.21E−08 3.64E−06 7.35E−07 IGROV-ET GI₅₀ 4.29E−09 3.70E−06 5.82E−08 3.42E−08 4.37E−06 5.10E−07 TGI 7.86E−09 8.45E−06 2.73E−07 6.91E−08 9.11E−06 7.82E−07 LC₅₀ 1.86E−08 1.34E−05 1.71E−06 1.39E−07 1.63E−05 1.20E−06 SK-BR3 GI₅₀ 4.79E−10 6.29E−07 5.37E−09 7.58E−40 3.02E−07 5.33E−09 TGI 1.72E−09 3.15E−06 1.16E−08 2.67E−09 5.93E−07 1.13E−08 LC₅₀ 8.57E−09 1.34E−05 8.81E−08 8.51E−09 1.16E−06 1.92E−07 K562 GI₅₀ 3.47E−10 8.84E−07 6.00E−09 5.66E−40 1.37E−07 4.96E−09 TGI 6.05E−10 3.90E−06 3.79E−08 1.97E−09 4.78E−07 1.37E−08 LC₅₀ 1.06E−09 1.34E−05 1.29E−05 1.44E−08 1.62E−06 1.05E−07 PANC-1 GI₅₀ 1.59E−09 1.32E−06 3.55E−08 3.72E−09 1.58E−06 3.94E−07 TGI 6.34E−09 9.22E−06 1.22E−07 8.24E−09 4.86E−06 9.57E−07 LC₅₀ 3.99E−08 1.34E−05 1.10E−05 3.42E−09 1.49E−05 1.30E−05 LOVO GI₅₀ 1.56E−09 5.55E−06 3.27E−07 3.98E−09 7.59E−07 2.65E−07 TGI 4.23E−09 1.34E−05 6.21E−08 8.51E−09 2.91E−06 5.96E−07 LC₅₀ 1.14E−08 1.34E−05 1.18E−07 6.08E−06 1.63E−05 1.30E−06 LOVO-DOX GI₅₀ 2.95E−08 6.25E−06 1.92E−07 2.62E−07 6.27E−06 7.47E−07 TGI 1.10E−07 1.34E−05 6.25E−07 9.62E−07 1.31E−05 3.28E−06 LC₅₀ 1.31E−05 1.34E−05 1.29E−05 9.00E−08 1.63E−05 1.30E−05 HELA GI₅₀ 2.13E−08 2.24E−09 3.43E−07 3.32E−06 TGI 6.42E−08 4.88E−09 6.20E−07 6.14E−06 LC₅₀ 5.27E−07 1.06E−08 1.12E−06 1.14E−07 HELA-APL GI₅₀ 3.59E−08 2.39E−09 3.98E−07 5.55E−08 TGI 1.02E−07 5.12E−09 6.74E−07 7.84E−08 LC₅₀ 1.04E−06 1.09E−08 1.14E−06 1.11E−07 

1. An ecteinascidin compound having a quinone group in ring E.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, with a 1,4 bridge.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, with a 1,4-spiroamine bridge.
 4. A compound according to claim 2, wherein the 1,4 bridge is of the formula: —⁽¹⁾CH₂—X—C(═O)—C(R^(a))(R^(b))—S⁽⁴⁾— where the —CH₂— is at the 1-position and the —S— is at the 4-position, of the ecteinascidin compound; X is —O— or an isostere; R^(a) and R^(b) together with the carbon to which they are attached form a group: —C(═O)—; —CHNH₂ or a protected or derivatised version of such a group; —CHOH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group; a group of formula:

where R^(d) is preferably chosen from hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy or hydrocarboyl, and X¹ is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy or hydrocarboyl, or a protecting group; a group of formula:

where R^(d) and X¹ are as defined.
 5. A compound according to claim 1, which is of the formula (Ab):

where R^(a), R^(b), and X are as defined in claim 4; R⁵ is —OH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group R⁷ is —OCH₃ and R⁸ is —OH or R⁷ and R⁸ together form a group —O—CH₂—O—; R^(12b) is a protecting group, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, acyl, carbonate, carbamate, cyclic amide or amino acid; and R²¹ is —H, —OH or —CN.
 6. A compound according to claim 5, wherein R^(a) and R^(b) together with the carbon to which they are attached form a group: —CO— —CHNX¹X² where X¹ is as defined in claim 4 and X² is as defined for X¹ in claim 4; —CHOX₁ where X¹ is as defined in claim 4; a group of formula:

where R^(d) is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, and X¹ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl or —(CO)OR′ where R′ is substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl; or a group of formula:

where R^(d) and X¹ are as defined.
 7. A compound according to claim 5 or 6, wherein R⁵ is —OH or a substituted or unsubstituted acyl derivative.
 8. A compound according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein R⁷ and R⁸ together form a group —O—CH₂—O—;
 9. A compound according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein R^(12b) is hydrogen, or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, amino acid or acyl.
 10. A compound according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein R²¹ is —OH or —CN.
 11. A compound according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein X is —NH— or —O—.
 12. A process which comprises providing as starting material an ecteinascidin with a substitutent at the N-12 position, and removing that substituent.
 13. A process according to claim 12, wherein the N—H group is derivatised.
 14. A process for preparing an ecteinascidin compound wherein a 1,4 bridge is formed using a 1-labile, 10-hydroxy, 12-protected, 18-protected hydroxy, di-6,8-enone fused ring precursor compound.
 15. A process for preparing an ecteinascidin compound, wherein a compound of formula (B):

where R²¹ is as defined, and Prot³ is a protecting group, is subjected to converting —CH₂NH₂ at the 1-position to —CH₂OH, protecting the —CH₂OH at the 1-position, protecting the —OH at the 18-position, removing the methyl group at the 12-position, deprotecting the 5-position, forming a di-6,8-enone ring for ring A, protecting the 12-position, removing the protecting group at the 1-position, forming a labile group at the 1-position set up for giving a 1,4 bridge, forming the 1,4 bridge, deprotecting the 18-position, optionally modifying the 1,4 bridge, removing the protecting group at the 12-position, and optionally further modifying the structure.
 16. A process according to claim 3, wherein the further modifications include one or more of altering the 1-substituent, altering the 5-substituent, altering the 18-substituent, and converting ring E to a quinone.
 17. An ecteinascidin compound which is of the formula (A):

wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) together with the carbon to which they are attached form a group —C(═O)—; a group —CH(R^(c))— where R^(c) is OX¹ or N(X¹)₂ where the or each X¹ is H, R′, —C(═O)R′, —O(C═O)R′, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl; or a spiro ring; R⁵ is —OH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group; R⁷ is —OCH₃ and R⁸ is —OH or R⁷ and R⁸ together form a group —O—CH₂—O—; R¹² is a protecting group; R²¹ is —H, —OH or —CN; X is —NH— or —O—; ring E is of the formula:

where R¹⁸ is —OH or a protected or derivatised version of such a group.
 18. A process for preparing an ecteinascidin compound, in which the protecting group on N-12 in a compound of claim 5 is removed to give a hydrogen.
 19. A process according to claim 18, in which the hydrogen on N-12 is replaced with another substituent R^(12a).
 20. An ecteinascidin compound of the formula (Ac):

where R^(a), R^(b), R⁵, R⁷, R⁸, R^(12b), R²¹, and ring E are as defined in any of the previous claims. 